Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-23
Religious Questions
DISCUSSED BY
DR.. S. Parkes Cddmdn.

Q.-Why do you object to what you
once called "bootlegging religions?
Isn't that a harsh word to be stuck on
people who seek the truth as much as
Christians do? What is your justifica-
ton for using it?
Ave should cheerfully recognize
any search for religious realities which
is sincere and competent, but was dis
cuSSing those cults whose leaders have
had no previous training and whose
tenets do not respond to a reasonable
examination. Hand-to-mouth revela-
lions will not serve the spiritual inter-
estS of the people. The expert inveSti-
gator in physical sciences is no more
essential than the expert interpreter Of
religious principles.
II you CHANGED to read the unin-
structed and in some instances amaz-
ingly crude opinions of certain literary
them, as recently published in the daily
press of Great Britain, you would know
that many of these views were charac-
terized by complete misunderstanding
of Christianity both in its doctrine and
its practice.
Any professional man is entitled to
demonstrate when he sees his calling
thus misconceived. Surely clergymen
have the same right. We are often
what we never thought and for teach
ing what we do not believe These
baseless assumptions from which cult
ism usually projects its propaganda
have to be labeled for what they really
are. Hence my use of the term you
disapprove.
Christianity takes the ground that
mans hope of achieving spiritual pro-
ficiency is not in himself, but in his
voluntary acceptance of those events
and verities by which God has mani
tested His grace to the human race.
Catholic and Protestant agree on so
much as this, and their agreement
necessitateS knowledge of the Chris
tian philosophy of life which I regret
to say is by no means as thorough as
it should be.
Yet the truth abides that the Bible
contains a divinely inspired account of
the reality and perfectness of God, and
that therein He makes Himself known
through Christ to His offspring. True,
many honest minds cannot reconcile
what they suppose to be Christian
orthodoxy with the modern view of the
| universe and it is equally true that the
changes in intellectual and social
standards shift the emphasis on religi-
GUS interpretations.
Notwithstanding these normal vari-
atoms, the essence of Christianity re-
mains intact. 1t is like the score of
| different conductors, with emphasis
now on this theme and then on that,
according to their respective abilities
and traditions. But the original con-
ceptions of the composer remain the
same. The rendering of Beethoven's
Ninth Symphony by the Philadelphia
Symphony Orchestra as compared
with the Interpretation of that COM
position by the Boston symphony
Orchestra may vary in minor details
vet both are playing the same music
Behind Christianity's claims arc
| the innumerable experiences which
ratify them. The approach to its
essentials is impossible unless those
experiences are taken into account
No creative force such as the Chris
tain faith shows itself to be is de-
pendent on the idioSyncraSies of the
hour. Nor is it connected with the
vaeue and nebulous proclamations OF
seif-elected prophets who adapt it tC
their own devices. For these reasons
I used the phrase you question.
O.-Is not the greatest puzzle in life
the mystery of why God did not create
kingdom on earth co-extensive witt
the Kingdom of Heaven, wherein mer
could give God continued worship anC
service a world in which His rationa
creatures would be free from sin anC
its consequences?
A.-Your question suggests that We
create needless difficulties for ourselve:
! out of life's imperfections and short
} comings. Would it not conduce tx
! clearer thinking on these issues If w
! began by assuming that Gods methoC
is determined by His purpose? VIVA
then is that purpose concerning Hi
rational creatures?
Plainly it is to make His will tn,
law of their being. But in the natur'
of things as they are, this cannot b.
: done by compulsion Men must be woI
to virtue by persuasion, and persuasion
} necessitates choice upon the part o
( those who are solicited.
Undoubtedly God could have people,
this planet as He peopled paradise witt
t natively pure and holy race. But tn
J. simple fact is that He did not elect =
do so. You win readily perceive tn