The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-25
GOD NEEDED MORE THAN
SCIENCE, CLERGYMAN SAYS
BY E. G. HoMRIGHAUsEN

BY E. G. HOMRIGHAUSEN
Pastor, Carrollton Avenue Reformed
Church
I do not like to use the word "re-
ligion." 1t means so many things to
so many people. Almost every one
has a religion of some kind by which
he lives and gives meaning to his
life. I would rather use the strong
term Cod Of what use is God?
The other day heard man say
that science has no power to re-
deem us. He indicated how science
had given us many things, but that
it had no power to tell us how to
use them. He pointed to the radio,
one of the greatest scientific gifts
to man. And yet, when the radio
gets into the hands of a dictator it
is used to mold the minds of mil
lions. Science had better not give
us too many powers before we de-
velop enough integrity and solid in
ner control to be able to use these
powers for good and not for deStruc-
ton. In short, we need religion"
we need God right now, more than
we need sciencei
DR.. Will Durant, who has popu-
larized philosophy for us, made
some startling statements the other
day. In the face of our modern sit
uation, which is desperate, he said
many people are turning to easy
ways out. The stock we now are
producing, he said, is not equipped
to handle the titanic problems of
this hour. The sources of our lead
erShip are drying up. Our cities
are being filled with inferior people.
The best elements are not produc-
ing children. We are drying up at
the top. Moral looseness and scorn
for puritan virtues is a sign of in
ner decay. We have been going
along in an epicurean individualism
for the last Is years that will tear
society to pieces and destroy all
unity.
Draws Dark Picture
There may be, as Durant hopes,
return to the manners and morals
of our grandmothers.
Prof. w. Ogburn of the University
of Chicago, addressing our Indian
apolis teachers a few weeks ago,
said practically the same thing. The
picture he drew of our future was
dark. He offered not a single ray
of hope and light. Perhaps his faith
was not expressed fully. 1t is inter-
esting to hear sociologist say what
he said. Why, few years ago So
cioiogy was decrying theology and
religion as deterrents to social prog
ress. Sociology seemed to be the
new theology. In a few years Of
social education they would produce
a social utopia! Ogburn's confess
sion of bankruptcy is significant.
Any relief worker could tell the same
story. We need more than social
reconstruction, something much,
much deeper.
admit we need social changes.
But solid social progress always
moves on a moral and spiritual base.
We need not more religions" or
even religion" We need God!
God gives man a sense of life's
eternal meaning. God gives man an
inner responsibility which heals
life and society from within. God
gives all men a sense of brother
hood and humility in the face of
their common sins and their COM
mon need Of his forgiveness and
constant mercy God dethrones
proud men who desire power only
for their own ends. God gives hope,
and God gives sense to life!
God Gives Inner Strength
We still may see lot of things
decay all around us. We may not
see better things in our age. But
only God can give inner strength
and health to an uncertain and sick
age. He gives men sense of re-.
spect for things high and noble. He
gives power of forbearance whereby
men get along together, homes re-
main united in spite of difficulties,
parents m responsibility,
through interest and example, for
the education of their children in
those things which alone can insure
the stability and the future welfare
of society.
Durant says the leaders must do