Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-02
FREE THOUGHT 4 NECESSITY.


will open my mouth in a parable: will
utter dark sayings Of old-PsALMs LxxvI1I:
Much of the religion of the present day
is based on parables-it might with truth
be said upon superstition. For the para
bles of the scriptures are liable to many
interpretations, and each Interpretation
is based upon the traditions that have
been handed down from father to son
There is no infallible guide by which the
lessons sought to be inculcated can be de-
termined other than human intelligence
That is the key to the whole situation. II
people were allowed to form their OWL
opinions of the significance of mooted
passages of scripture, there would be few
er sects and more religion. The trouble
has been that the people have permitted
others to think for them, and have &C
cepted their decisions without remon-
STRANGE.
Free thought is the basis of all true re-
ligion. A few inconsiderate men and
women have brought free-thinkers, So
called, into disrepute. They have turned
the conferences of that body into disre-
pute by making them the vehicle of in
fidel utterances-of jeers at the religion
of Jesus Christ and ratings at all who
accept it as the revealed will of God. The
action of such persons, however, should
not deter any person from thinking for
himself on matters of religion. He is
not bound to accept the theories of this
or that doctor of divinity, for if he is a
man of ordinary intelligence he is as
competent to understand the true mean
ing of the parallels of the Savior as is the
wisest among the preachers of the day.
There is this trouble with theologians:
They are all formed in the same mould.
A Presbyterian clergyman is train
ed in Presbyterian seminary,
and is lnculcated with the Presbyterian
doctrines that have been taught for
two centuries or more. He is not per-
mitted to deviate one iota from the es-
tablished creed, and if he does he is os-
tracised and treated as hereto. Nc
freedom of thought is tolerated. The
identical theories that governed the sect
two centuries ago are insisted upon, and
no liberty whatever given. The same is
true of other denominations. Under
such circumstances there is absolutely nc
room for progress-ne opportunity fol
development in spiritual life.
We do not believe that the Christian
religion was intended to be stationary
through all ages. 1t is as progressive as
civilization. The theories that sufficeG
for the people five hundred years ago are
not sufficient for the people of to-day
for the reason that there has beena ad.
vancement in intellectual culture of late
years. Thought is progressive as well a!
religion, and each should keep pace will
the other. Though the law may be i'm
movable and invulnerable, there may bt
different interpretations of the law, es
pecially when it is recorded in parallels
as much of the scripture law is. But a:
long as it is a moral obligation, people
have right to determine their own re-
sponsibility. Free-thinking-no connec-
ton should be drawn with the infdel so.
cieties that adopt that name-is the right
of every citizen. He has no right to al
low others to formulate his belief, and il
he does so, he is his own dupe.