Gilpin observer., 1909-12-16
DISCUSS RELIGION
Submitted by A. T. Thompson.)

>N~S>~~fSS@Ast
Some time ago received letter
from Judge Ashbaugh regarding some
questions and asking my opinion in
regard to them. Thinking that the
letters might start train of thought
In some readers mind they are here
produced.
from the fact that 1t Is an original
line Of thought, and shows a dis
position to find the truth, which
should be the desire of mankind:
Littleton, Colo, October 2Sth, 1909.
Mr.. Almond T. Thompson,
Central City, Colorado.
Dear Armond:
Some years ago father Mcleod,
Miss Archibald, your worthy self, my
wife and l discussed religion. At one
of our meetings, l made the state
ment that it was my opinion that
civilization was not due to religion,
and that while religion was q neces-
sary adjunct, our Christian religion
was not the cause of our civilization.
was In measure swept off the
scene Of battle for Father Mcleod
had some very strong ideas and pro-
nounced them in terms unmistakable
as to their meaning, and since, at
at that time, I had no authority to
support my contention, / subsidized
to await another renewal of hostili-
ties. Since then l have found q man
after my own heart, namely Henry
Thomas Buckle, who in his "Civiliza-
tion in England" deals with these,
to me very interesting questions and
supports my contentious.
/ am pleased to hear that you are
the head of an evolution class and |
understand that you are introducing
to the members Mr.. La Conte. 1t
has been some years since l reviewed
La Conte, but as l recall the gist
of his text intimated that the reli-
gious idea has been evolved and is
constantly undergoing the process of
evolution. l fear, Almond, you have
very delicate job in some instances
and 1t would seem to me that to i'm
part the almost repulsive doctrine of
evolution to dyed in the wool
Methodists", or to 's.raight-laced
teachings, is rather serious.
The few thoughts for text herein
given, you can if you deem proper,
spring on your class. l am ready to
answer any objections hereto in my
own way, and am ready to receive
additional Interpretation. If you take
exception to any of them,and the
chances are that you will, please cri-
ticize with all seriousness. Remember
that l hold that religion is inherent
in human nature; that when the hui
man being, whatever his color may
be, has evolved to sufficient extent,
then the bud Of religion will begin
to swell and will develop; that this
development is necessary develop
ment; that the tendency is upward
if the individuals intellect is in that
direction; that it is downward if the
intellect is benummed.
There are races in the wilds of
Africa from which there is no evil
dence of any religions in their make
up.
l quote, DO we consider a nation
evolved without Christian tenents?
Now, in the first place, it is evident
that if the people were left entirely
to themselves their religion, their
literature and their government would
be, not the causes of their civiliZa-
ton, but the effects of it. Out of GER
tain conditions of society certain con-
'ditions or results naturally follow"
Buckles Civilization in England.
Volume /, pages 1S3-S4.)
So we can not say that the bad
ness Of religion, of the literature
and of government causes the igno-
rance of the people, nor can we say
that the goodness of a religion or
literature or a government causes
the knowledge or wisdom of a people
because religion, literature and gov
ernment are evolutions of that COM
munity and we can not say that the
one coming first. the people, is the
effect and that which follows, litera-
ture, religion and government is the
cause. We must, perforce say that
the inhabitants are the cause, and
their religion, literature and govern
ment are the effect, and so We hold
that literature, religion and govern
ment, being the product Of humanity.
do not upbuild humanity but that
humanity upbuilds them. This is de-
rogatory to our everyday ideas on
the subject but my contention is that
II evolution be true this must neces-
sarily be true.
1t is evidenced in missionary work
in barbarous countries. Men Of the
best intentions and full OF fervent.
though contend, misguided zeal.
have been and still are attempting
to propagate our Christian religion
among the inhabitants of those bar
barous countries. This is attended by
strenuous and unremitting activity,
by promises and by actual gifts, and
they have in many cases, persuaded
savage people to make a profession of
Christian faith, but these professions
are only nominal, and while few OF
the ceremonies of our Christian re-
ligion have been adopted, namely,
baptism. etc, the religion itself is
not grasped, nor can 1t be until these
savage tribes have been sufficiently
enlightened to grasp the beauties Of
our Christian religion. The savage
must be educated to realize the deep
er religion which alone Is desirable,
and I must earnestly ASSERT that the