Lethim，forinstance，comparetheclassesofEuropewiththecastesofIndia。Therearistocracyisfarmoreawful，becauseitisfarmoreintellectual。Itisseriouslyfeltthatthescaleofclassesisascaleofspiritualvalues；thatthebakerisbetterthanthebutcherinaninvisibleandsacredsense。ButnoChristianity，noteventhemostignorantorperverse，eversuggestedthatabaronetwasbetterthanabutcherinthatsacredsense。NoChristianity，howeverignorantorextravagant，eversuggestedthatadukewouldnotbedamned。Inpagansocietytheremayhavebeen（Idonotknow）
　　somesuchseriousdivisionbetweenthefreemanandtheslave。
　　ButinChristiansocietywehavealwaysthoughtthegentlemanasortofjoke，thoughIadmitthatinsomegreatcrusadesandcouncilsheearnedtherighttobecalledapracticaljoke。
　　ButweinEuropeneverreallyandattherootofoursoulstookaristocracyseriously。Itisonlyanoccasionalnon-Europeanalien（suchasDr。OscarLevy，theonlyintelligentNietzscheite）
　　whocanevenmanageforamomenttotakearistocracyseriously。
　　Itmaybeamerepatrioticbias，thoughIdonotthinkso，butitseemstomethattheEnglisharistocracyisnotonlythetype，butisthecrownandflowerofallactualaristocracies；ithasalltheoligarchicalvirtuesaswellasallthedefects。Itiscasual，itiskind，itiscourageousinobviousmatters；butithasonegreatmeritthatoverlapseventhese。ThegreatandveryobviousmeritoftheEnglisharistocracyisthatnobodycouldpossiblytakeitseriously。
　　Inshort，Ihadspelledoutslowly，asusual，theneedforanequallawinUtopia；and，asusual，IfoundthatChristianityhadbeentherebeforeme。ThewholehistoryofmyUtopiahasthesameamusingsadness。Iwasalwaysrushingoutofmyarchitecturalstudywithplansforanewturretonlytofinditsittingupthereinthesunlight，shining，andathousandyearsold。Forme，intheancientandpartlyinthemodernsense，Godansweredtheprayer，"Preventus，OLord，inallourdoings。"Withoutvanity，IreallythinktherewasamomentwhenIcouldhaveinventedthemarriagevow（asaninstitution）outofmyownhead；butIdiscovered，withasigh，thatithadbeeninventedalready。But，sinceitwouldbetoolongabusinesstoshowhow，factbyfactandinchbyinch，myownconceptionofUtopiawasonlyansweredintheNewJerusalem，Iwilltakethisonecaseofthematterofmarriageasindicatingtheconvergingdrift，Imaysaytheconvergingcrashofalltherest。
　　WhentheordinaryopponentsofSocialismtalkaboutimpossibilitiesandalterationsinhumannaturetheyalwaysmissanimportantdistinction。Inmodernidealconceptionsofsocietytherearesomedesiresthatarepossiblynotattainable：buttherearesomedesiresthatarenotdesirable。Thatallmenshouldliveinequallybeautifulhousesisadreamthatmayormaynotbeattained。
　　Butthatallmenshouldliveinthesamebeautifulhouseisnotadreamatall；itisanightmare。Thatamanshouldlovealloldwomenisanidealthatmaynotbeattainable。Butthatamanshouldregardalloldwomenexactlyasheregardshismotherisnotonlyanunattainableideal，butanidealwhichoughtnottobeattained。
　　Idonotknowifthereaderagreeswithmeintheseexamples；
　　butIwilladdtheexamplewhichhasalwaysaffectedmemost。
　　IcouldneverconceiveortolerateanyUtopiawhichdidnotleavetomethelibertyforwhichIchieflycare，thelibertytobindmyself。
　　Completeanarchywouldnotmerelymakeitimpossibletohaveanydisciplineorfidelity；itwouldalsomakeitimpossibletohaveanyfun。Totakeanobviousinstance，itwouldnotbeworthwhiletobetifabetwerenotbinding。Thedissolutionofallcontractswouldnotonlyruinmoralitybutspoilsport。
　　Nowbettingandsuchsportsareonlythestuntedandtwistedshapesoftheoriginalinstinctofmanforadventureandromance，ofwhichmuchhasbeensaidinthesepages。Andtheperils，rewards，punishments，andfulfilmentsofanadventuremustbereal，ortheadventureisonlyashiftingandheartlessnightmare。IfIbetImustbemadetopay，orthereisnopoetryinbetting。IfIchallengeImustbemadetofight，orthereisnopoetryinchallenging。
　　IfIvowtobefaithfulImustbecursedwhenIamunfaithful，orthereisnofuninvowing。Youcouldnotevenmakeafairytalefromtheexperiencesofamanwho，whenhewasswallowedbyawhale，mightfindhimselfatthetopoftheEiffelTower，orwhenhewasturnedintoafrogmightbegintobehavelikeaflamingo。
　　Forthepurposeevenofthewildestromanceresultsmustbereal；
　　resultsmustbeirrevocable。Christianmarriageisthegreatexampleofarealandirrevocableresult；andthatiswhyitisthechiefsubjectandcentreofallourromanticwriting。
　　AndthisismylastinstanceofthethingsthatIshouldask，andaskimperatively，ofanysocialparadise；Ishouldasktobekepttomybargain，tohavemyoathsandengagementstakenseriously；
　　IshouldaskUtopiatoavengemyhonouronmyself。
　　AllmymodernUtopianfriendslookateachotherratherdoubtfully，fortheirultimatehopeisthedissolutionofallspecialties。
　　ButagainIseemtohear，likeakindofecho，ananswerfrombeyondtheworld。"Youwillhaverealobligations，andthereforerealadventureswhenyougettomyUtopia。Butthehardestobligationandthesteepestadventureistogetthere。"
　　VIIITHEROMANCEOFORTHODOXY
　　Itiscustomarytocomplainofthebustleandstrenuousnessofourepoch。Butintruththechiefmarkofourepochisaprofoundlazinessandfatigue；andthefactisthatthereallazinessisthecauseoftheapparentbustle。Takeonequiteexternalcase；thestreetsarenoisywithtaxicabsandmotorcars；
　　butthisisnotduetohumanactivitybuttohumanrepose。
　　Therewouldbelessbustleifthereweremoreactivity，ifpeopleweresimplywalkingabout。Ourworldwouldbemoresilentifitweremorestrenuous。Andthiswhichistrueoftheapparentphysicalbustleistruealsooftheapparentbustleoftheintellect。
　　Mostofthemachineryofmodernlanguageislabour-savingmachinery；
　　anditsavesmentallabourverymuchmorethanitought。
　　Scientificphrasesareusedlikescientificwheelsandpiston-rodstomakeswifterandsmootheryetthepathofthecomfortable。
　　Longwordsgorattlingbyuslikelongrailwaytrains。Weknowtheyarecarryingthousandswhoaretootiredortooindolenttowalkandthinkforthemselves。Itisagoodexercisetotryforonceinawaytoexpressanyopiniononeholdsinwordsofonesyllable。
　　Ifyousay"Thesocialutilityoftheindeterminatesentenceisrecognizedbyallcriminologistsasapartofoursociologicalevolutiontowardsamorehumaneandscientificviewofpunishment，"
　　youcangoontalkinglikethatforhourswithhardlyamovementofthegraymatterinsideyourskull。Butifyoubegin"IwishJonestogotogaolandBrowntosaywhenJonesshallcomeout，"
　　youwilldiscover，withathrillofhorror，thatyouareobligedtothink。Thelongwordsarenotthehardwords，itistheshortwordsthatarehard。Thereismuchmoremetaphysicalsubtletyintheword"damn"thanintheword"degeneration。"
　　Buttheselongcomfortablewordsthatsavemodernpeoplethetoilofreasoninghaveoneparticularaspectinwhichtheyareespeciallyruinousandconfusing。Thisdifficultyoccurswhenthesamelongwordisusedindifferentconnectionstomeanquitedifferentthings。
　　Thus，totakeawell-knowninstance，theword"idealist"hasonemeaningasapieceofphilosophyandquiteanotherasapieceofmoralrhetoric。Inthesamewaythescientificmaterialistshavehadjustreasontocomplainofpeoplemixingup"materialist"
　　asatermofcosmologywith"materialist"asamoraltaunt。
　　So，totakeacheaperinstance，themanwhohates"progressives"
　　inLondonalwayscallshimselfa"progressive"inSouthAfrica。
　　Aconfusionquiteasunmeaningasthishasariseninconnectionwiththeword"liberal"asappliedtoreligionandasappliedtopoliticsandsociety。ItisoftensuggestedthatallLiberalsoughttobefreethinkers，becausetheyoughttoloveeverythingthatisfree。YoumightjustaswellsaythatallidealistsoughttobeHighChurchmen，becausetheyoughttoloveeverythingthatishigh。
　　YoumightaswellsaythatLowChurchmenoughttolikeLowMass，orthatBroadChurchmenoughttolikebroadjokes。Thethingisamereaccidentofwords。InactualmodernEuropeafreethinkerdoesnotmeanamanwhothinksforhimself。Itmeansamanwho，havingthoughtforhimself，hascometooneparticularclassofconclusions，thematerialoriginofphenomena，theimpossibilityofmiracles，theimprobabilityofpersonalimmortalityandsoon。
　　Andnoneoftheseideasareparticularlyliberal。Nay，indeedalmostalltheseideasaredefinitelyilliberal，asitisthepurposeofthischaptertoshow。
　　InthefewfollowingpagesIproposetopointoutasrapidlyaspossiblethatoneverysingleoneofthemattersmoststronglyinsistedonbyliberalisersoftheologytheireffectuponsocialpracticewouldbedefinitelyilliberal。Almosteverycontemporaryproposaltobringfreedomintothechurchissimplyaproposaltobringtyrannyintotheworld。Forfreeingthechurchnowdoesnotevenmeanfreeingitinalldirections。Itmeansfreeingthatpeculiarsetofdogmaslooselycalledscientific，dogmasofmonism，ofpantheism，orofArianism，orofnecessity。
　　Andeveryoneofthese（andwewilltakethemonebyone）
　　canbeshowntobethenaturalallyofoppression。Infact，itisaremarkablecircumstance（indeednotsoveryremarkablewhenonecomestothinkofit）thatmostthingsarethealliesofoppression。
　　Thereisonlyonethingthatcannevergopastacertainpointinitsalliancewithoppression——andthatisorthodoxy。Imay，itistrue，twistorthodoxysoaspartlytojustifyatyrant。
　　ButIcaneasilymakeupaGermanphilosophytojustifyhimentirely。
　　Nowletustakeinordertheinnovationsthatarethenotesofthenewtheologyorthemodernistchurch。Weconcludedthelastchapterwiththediscoveryofoneofthem。Theverydoctrinewhichiscalledthemostold-fashionedwasfoundtobetheonlysafeguardofthenewdemocraciesoftheearth。Thedoctrineseeminglymostunpopularwasfoundtobetheonlystrengthofthepeople。
　　Inshort，wefoundthattheonlylogicalnegationofoligarchywasintheaffirmationoforiginalsin。Soitis，Imaintain，inalltheothercases。
　　Itakethemostobviousinstancefirst，thecaseofmiracles。
　　Forsomeextraordinaryreason，thereisafixednotionthatitismoreliberaltodisbelieveinmiraclesthantobelieveinthem。Why，Icannotimagine，norcananybodytellme。
　　Forsomeinconceivablecausea"broad"or"liberal"clergymanalwaysmeansamanwhowishesatleasttodiminishthenumberofmiracles；
　　itnevermeansamanwhowishestoincreasethatnumber。ItalwaysmeansamanwhoisfreetodisbelievethatChristcameoutofHisgrave；
　　itnevermeansamanwhoisfreetobelievethathisownauntcameoutofhergrave。ItiscommontofindtroubleinaparishbecausetheparishpriestcannotadmitthatSt。Peterwalkedonwater；
　　yethowrarelydowefindtroubleinaparishbecausetheclergymansaysthathisfatherwalkedontheSerpentine？Andthisisnotbecause（astheswiftsecularistdebaterwouldimmediatelyretort）
　　miraclescannotbebelievedinourexperience。Itisnotbecause"miraclesdonothappen，"asinthedogmawhichMatthewArnoldrecitedwithsimplefaith。MoresupernaturalthingsareALLEGEDtohavehappenedinourtimethanwouldhavebeenpossibleeightyyearsago。
　　Menofsciencebelieveinsuchmarvelsmuchmorethantheydid：
　　themostperplexing，andevenhorrible，prodigiesofmindandspiritarealwaysbeingunveiledinmodernpsychology。Thingsthattheoldscienceatleastwouldfranklyhaverejectedasmiraclesarehourlybeingassertedbythenewscience。Theonlythingwhichisstillold-fashionedenoughtorejectmiraclesistheNewTheology。
　　Butintruththisnotionthatitis"free"todenymiracleshasnothingtodowiththeevidencefororagainstthem。Itisalifelessverbalprejudiceofwhichtheoriginallifeandbeginningwasnotinthefreedomofthought，butsimplyinthedogmaofmaterialism。
　　ThemanofthenineteenthcenturydidnotdisbelieveintheResurrectionbecausehisliberalChristianityallowedhimtodoubtit。
　　Hedisbelievedinitbecausehisverystrictmaterialismdidnotallowhimtobelieveit。Tennyson，averytypicalnineteenthcenturyman，utteredoneoftheinstinctivetruismsofhiscontemporarieswhenhesaidthattherewasfaithintheirhonestdoubt。Therewasindeed。
　　Thosewordshaveaprofoundandevenahorribletruth。Intheirdoubtofmiraclestherewasafaithinafixedandgodlessfate；
　　adeepandsincerefaithintheincurableroutineofthecosmos。
　　Thedoubtsoftheagnosticwereonlythedogmasofthemonist。
　　OfthefactandevidenceofthesupernaturalIwillspeakafterwards。Hereweareonlyconcernedwiththisclearpoint；
　　thatinsofarastheliberalideaoffreedomcanbesaidtobeoneithersideinthediscussionaboutmiracles，itisobviouslyonthesideofmiracles。Reformor（intheonlytolerablesense）
　　progressmeanssimplythegradualcontrolofmatterbymind。
　　Amiraclesimplymeanstheswiftcontrolofmatterbymind。Ifyouwishtofeedthepeople，youmaythinkthatfeedingthemmiraculouslyinthewildernessisimpossible——butyoucannotthinkitilliberal。
　　Ifyoureallywantpoorchildrentogototheseaside，youcannotthinkitilliberalthattheyshouldgothereonflyingdragons；
　　youcanonlythinkitunlikely。Aholiday，likeLiberalism，onlymeansthelibertyofman。AmiracleonlymeansthelibertyofGod。
　　Youmayconscientiouslydenyeitherofthem，butyoucannotcallyourdenialatriumphoftheliberalidea。TheCatholicChurchbelievedthatmanandGodbothhadasortofspiritualfreedom。
　　Calvinismtookawaythefreedomfromman，butleftittoGod。
　　ScientificmaterialismbindstheCreatorHimself；itchainsupGodastheApocalypsechainedthedevil。Itleavesnothingfreeintheuniverse。Andthosewhoassistthisprocessarecalledthe"liberaltheologians。"
　　This，asIsay，isthelightestandmostevidentcase。
　　Theassumptionthatthereissomethinginthedoubtofmiraclesakintoliberalityorreformisliterallytheoppositeofthetruth。
　　Ifamancannotbelieveinmiraclesthereisanendofthematter；
　　heisnotparticularlyliberal，butheisperfectlyhonourableandlogical，whicharemuchbetterthings。Butifhecanbelieveinmiracles，heiscertainlythemoreliberalfordoingso；
　　becausetheymeanfirst，thefreedomofthesoul，andsecondly，itscontroloverthetyrannyofcircumstance。Sometimesthistruthisignoredinasingularlynaiveway，evenbytheablestmen。
　　Forinstance，Mr。BernardShawspeakswithheartyold-fashionedcontemptfortheideaofmiracles，asiftheywereasortofbreachoffaithonthepartofnature：heseemsstrangelyunconsciousthatmiraclesareonlythefinalflowersofhisownfavouritetree，thedoctrineoftheomnipotenceofwill。Justinthesamewayhecallsthedesireforimmortalityapaltryselfishness，forgettingthathehasjustcalledthedesireforlifeahealthyandheroicselfishness。
　　Howcanitbenobletowishtomakeone’slifeinfiniteandyetmeantowishtomakeitimmortal？No，ifitisdesirablethatmanshouldtriumphoverthecrueltyofnatureorcustom，thenmiraclesarecertainlydesirable；wewilldiscussafterwardswhethertheyarepossible。
　　ButImustpassontothelargercasesofthiscuriouserror；
　　thenotionthatthe"liberalising"ofreligioninsomewayhelpstheliberationoftheworld。Thesecondexampleofitcanbefoundinthequestionofpantheism——orratherofacertainmodernattitudewhichisoftencalledimmanentism，andwhichoftenisBuddhism。
　　ButthisissomuchmoredifficultamatterthatImustapproachitwithrathermorepreparation。
　　Thethingssaidmostconfidentlybyadvancedpersonstocrowdedaudiencesaregenerallythosequiteoppositetothefact；
　　itisactuallyourtruismsthatareuntrue。Hereisacase。
　　Thereisaphraseoffacileliberalityutteredagainandagainatethicalsocietiesandparliamentsofreligion："thereligionsoftheearthdifferinritesandforms，buttheyarethesameinwhattheyteach。"Itisfalse；itistheoppositeofthefact。
　　Thereligionsoftheearthdonotgreatlydifferinritesandforms；
　　theydogreatlydifferinwhattheyteach。Itisasifamanweretosay，"DonotbemisledbythefactthattheCHURCHTIMES
　　andtheFREETHINKERlookutterlydifferent，thatoneispaintedonvellumandtheothercarvedonmarble，thatoneistriangularandtheotherhectagonal；readthemandyouwillseethattheysaythesamething。"Thetruthis，ofcourse，thattheyarealikeineverythingexceptinthefactthattheydon’tsaythesamething。
　　AnatheiststockbrokerinSurbitonlooksexactlylikeaSwedenborgianstockbrokerinWimbledon。YoumaywalkroundandroundthemandsubjectthemtothemostpersonalandoffensivestudywithoutseeinganythingSwedenborgianinthehatoranythingparticularlygodlessintheumbrella。Itisexactlyintheirsoulsthattheyaredivided。Sothetruthisthatthedifficultyofallthecreedsoftheearthisnotasallegedinthischeapmaxim：thattheyagreeinmeaning，butdifferinmachinery。Itisexactlytheopposite。
　　Theyagreeinmachinery；almosteverygreatreligiononearthworkswiththesameexternalmethods，withpriests，scriptures，altars，swornbrotherhoods，specialfeasts。Theyagreeinthemodeofteaching；whattheydifferaboutisthethingtobetaught。
　　PaganoptimistsandEasternpessimistswouldbothhavetemples，justasLiberalsandTorieswouldbothhavenewspapers。Creedsthatexisttodestroyeachotherbothhavescriptures，justasarmiesthatexisttodestroyeachotherbothhaveguns。
　　ThegreatexampleofthisallegedidentityofallhumanreligionsistheallegedspiritualidentityofBuddhismandChristianity。
　　Thosewhoadoptthistheorygenerallyavoidtheethicsofmostothercreeds，except，indeed，Confucianism，whichtheylikebecauseitisnotacreed。ButtheyarecautiousintheirpraisesofMahommedanism，generallyconfiningthemselvestoimposingitsmoralityonlyupontherefreshmentofthelowerclasses。
　　TheyseldomsuggesttheMahommedanviewofmarriage（forwhichthereisagreatdealtobesaid），andtowardsThugsandfetishworshipperstheirattitudemayevenbecalledcold。ButinthecaseofthegreatreligionofGautamatheyfeelsincerelyasimilarity。
　　Studentsofpopularscience，likeMr。Blatchford，arealwaysinsistingthatChristianityandBuddhismareverymuchalike，especiallyBuddhism。Thisisgenerallybelieved，andIbelieveditmyselfuntilIreadabookgivingthereasonsforit。
　　Thereasonswereoftwokinds：resemblancesthatmeantnothingbecausetheywerecommontoallhumanity，andresemblanceswhichwerenotresemblancesatall。Theauthorsolemnlyexplainedthatthetwocreedswerealikeinthingsinwhichallcreedsarealike，orelsehedescribedthemasalikeinsomepointinwhichtheyarequiteobviouslydifferent。Thus，asacaseofthefirstclass，hesaidthatbothChristandBuddhawerecalledbythedivinevoicecomingoutofthesky，asifyouwouldexpectthedivinevoicetocomeoutofthecoal-cellar。Or，again，itwasgravelyurgedthatthesetwoEasternteachers，byasingularcoincidence，bothhadtodowiththewashingoffeet。Youmightaswellsaythatitwasaremarkablecoincidencethattheybothhadfeettowash。Andtheotherclassofsimilaritieswerethosewhichsimplywerenotsimilar。
　　ThusthisreconcilerofthetworeligionsdrawsearnestattentiontothefactthatatcertainreligiousfeaststherobeoftheLamaisrentinpiecesoutofrespect，andtheremnantshighlyvalued。
　　Butthisisthereverseofaresemblance，forthegarmentsofChristwerenotrentinpiecesoutofrespect，butoutofderision；
　　andtheremnantswerenothighlyvaluedexceptforwhattheywouldfetchintheragshops。Itisratherlikealludingtotheobviousconnectionbetweenthetwoceremoniesofthesword：whenittapsaman’sshoulder，andwhenitcutsoffhishead。Itisnotatallsimilarfortheman。Thesescrapsofpuerilepedantrywouldindeedmatterlittleifitwerenotalsotruethattheallegedphilosophicalresemblancesarealsoofthesetwokinds，eitherprovingtoomuchornotprovinganything。ThatBuddhismapprovesofmercyorofself-restraintisnottosaythatitisspeciallylikeChristianity；
　　itisonlytosaythatitisnotutterlyunlikeallhumanexistence。
　　Buddhistsdisapproveintheoryofcrueltyorexcessbecauseallsanehumanbeingsdisapproveintheoryofcrueltyorexcess。
　　ButtosaythatBuddhismandChristianitygivethesamephilosophyofthesethingsissimplyfalse。Allhumanitydoesagreethatweareinanetofsin。Mostofhumanityagreesthatthereissomewayout。
　　Butastowhatisthewayout，IdonotthinkthattherearetwoinstitutionsintheuniversewhichcontradicteachothersoflatlyasBuddhismandChristianity。
　　EvenwhenIthought，withmostotherwell-informed，thoughunscholarly，people，thatBuddhismandChristianitywerealike，therewasonethingaboutthemthatalwaysperplexedme；
　　Imeanthestartlingdifferenceintheirtypeofreligiousart。
　　Idonotmeaninitstechnicalstyleofrepresentation，butinthethingsthatitwasmanifestlymeanttorepresent。
　　NotwoidealscouldbemoreoppositethanaChristiansaintinaGothiccathedralandaBuddhistsaintinaChinesetemple。
　　Theoppositionexistsateverypoint；butperhapstheshorteststatementofitisthattheBuddhistsaintalwayshashiseyesshut，whiletheChristiansaintalwayshasthemverywideopen。
　　TheBuddhistsainthasasleekandharmoniousbody，buthiseyesareheavyandsealedwithsleep。Themediaevalsaint’sbodyiswastedtoitscrazybones，buthiseyesarefrightfullyalive。
　　Therecannotbeanyrealcommunityofspiritbetweenforcesthatproducedsymbolssodifferentasthat。Grantedthatbothimagesareextravagances，areperversionsofthepurecreed，itmustbearealdivergencewhichcouldproducesuchoppositeextravagances。
　　TheBuddhistislookingwithapeculiarintentnessinwards。
　　TheChristianisstaringwithafranticintentnessoutwards。Ifwefollowthatcluesteadilyweshallfindsomeinterestingthings。
　　AshorttimeagoMrs。Besant，inaninterestingessay，announcedthattherewasonlyonereligionintheworld，thatallfaithswereonlyversionsorperversionsofit，andthatshewasquitepreparedtosaywhatitwas。AccordingtoMrs。BesantthisuniversalChurchissimplytheuniversalself。Itisthedoctrinethatwearereallyalloneperson；thattherearenorealwallsofindividualitybetweenmanandman。IfImayputitso，shedoesnottellustoloveourneighbours；shetellsustobeourneighbours。
　　ThatisMrs。Besant’sthoughtfulandsuggestivedescriptionofthereligioninwhichallmenmustfindthemselvesinagreement。
　　AndIneverheardofanysuggestioninmylifewithwhichImoreviolentlydisagree。IwanttolovemyneighbournotbecauseheisI，butpreciselybecauseheisnotI。Iwanttoadoretheworld，notasonelikesalooking-glass，becauseitisone’sself，butasonelovesawoman，becausesheisentirelydifferent。
　　Ifsoulsareseparateloveispossible。Ifsoulsareunitedloveisobviouslyimpossible。Amanmaybesaidlooselytolovehimself，buthecanhardlyfallinlovewithhimself，or，ifhedoes，itmustbeamonotonouscourtship。Iftheworldisfullofrealselves，theycanbereallyunselfishselves。ButuponMrs。Besant’sprinciplethewholecosmosisonlyoneenormouslyselfishperson。
　　ItisjustherethatBuddhismisonthesideofmodernpantheismandimmanence。AnditisjustherethatChristianityisonthesideofhumanityandlibertyandlove。Lovedesirespersonality；
　　thereforelovedesiresdivision。ItistheinstinctofChristianitytobegladthatGodhasbrokentheuniverseintolittlepieces，becausetheyarelivingpieces。Itisherinstincttosay"littlechildrenloveoneanother"ratherthantotellonelargepersontolovehimself。ThisistheintellectualabyssbetweenBuddhismandChristianity；thatfortheBuddhistorTheosophistpersonalityisthefallofman，fortheChristianitisthepurposeofGod，thewholepointofhiscosmicidea。Theworld-souloftheTheosophistsasksmantoloveitonlyinorderthatmanmaythrowhimselfintoit。
　　ButthedivinecentreofChristianityactuallythrewmanoutofitinorderthathemightloveit。Theorientaldeityislikeagiantwhoshouldhavelosthislegorhandandbealwaysseekingtofindit；
　　buttheChristianpowerislikesomegiantwhoinastrangegenerosityshouldcutoffhisrighthand，sothatitmightofitsownaccordshakehandswithhim。WecomebacktothesametirelessnotetouchingthenatureofChristianity；allmodernphilosophiesarechainswhichconnectandfetter；Christianityisaswordwhichseparatesandsetsfree。NootherphilosophymakesGodactuallyrejoiceintheseparationoftheuniverseintolivingsouls。
　　ButaccordingtoorthodoxChristianitythisseparationbetweenGodandmanissacred，becausethisiseternal。ThatamanmayloveGoditisnecessarythatthereshouldbenotonlyaGodtobeloved，butamantolovehim。Allthosevaguetheosophicalmindsforwhomtheuniverseisanimmensemelting-potareexactlythemindswhichshrinkinstinctivelyfromthatearthquakesayingofourGospels，whichdeclarethattheSonofGodcamenotwithpeacebutwithasunderingsword。Thesayingringsentirelytrueevenconsideredaswhatitobviouslyis；thestatementthatanymanwhopreachesrealloveisboundtobegethate。Itisastrueofdemocraticfraternityasadivinelove；shamloveendsincompromiseandcommonphilosophy；
　　butreallovehasalwaysendedinbloodshed。YetthereisanotherandyetmoreawfultruthbehindtheobviousmeaningofthisutteranceofourLord。AccordingtoHimselftheSonwasaswordseparatingbrotherandbrotherthattheyshouldforanaeonhateeachother。
　　ButtheFatheralsowasasword，whichintheblackbeginningseparatedbrotherandbrother，sothattheyshouldloveeachotheratlast。
　　Thisisthemeaningofthatalmostinsanehappinessintheeyesofthemediaevalsaintinthepicture。ThisisthemeaningofthesealedeyesofthesuperbBuddhistimage。TheChristiansaintishappybecausehehasverilybeencutofffromtheworld；
　　heisseparatefromthingsandisstaringattheminastonishment。
　　ButwhyshouldtheBuddhistsaintbeastonishedatthings？——
　　sincethereisreallyonlyonething，andthatbeingimpersonalcanhardlybeastonishedatitself。Therehavebeenmanypantheistpoemssuggestingwonder，butnoreallysuccessfulones。Thepantheistcannotwonder，forhecannotpraiseGodorpraiseanythingasreallydistinctfromhimself。Ourimmediatebusinesshere，however，iswiththeeffectofthisChristianadmiration（whichstrikesoutwards，towardsadeitydistinctfromtheworshipper）uponthegeneralneedforethicalactivityandsocialreform。Andsurelyitseffectissufficientlyobvious。Thereisnorealpossibilityofgettingoutofpantheism，anyspecialimpulsetomoralaction。
　　Forpantheismimpliesinitsnaturethatonethingisasgoodasanother；whereasactionimpliesinitsnaturethatonethingisgreatlypreferabletoanother。Swinburneinthehighsummerofhisscepticismtriedinvaintowrestlewiththisdifficulty。
　　In"SongsbeforeSunrise，"writtenundertheinspirationofGaribaldiandtherevoltofItalyheproclaimedthenewerreligionandthepurerGodwhichshouldwitherupallthepriestsoftheworld：
　　"WhatdoestthounowLookingGodwardtocryIamI，thouartthou，Iamlow，thouarthigh，Iamthouthatthouseekesttofindhim，findthoubutthyself，thouartI。"
　　OfwhichtheimmediateandevidentdeductionisthattyrantsareasmuchthesonsofGodasGaribaldis；andthatKingBombaofNapleshaving，withtheutmostsuccess，"foundhimself"
　　isidenticalwiththeultimategoodinallthings。Thetruthisthatthewesternenergythatdethronestyrantshasbeendirectlyduetothewesterntheologythatsays"IamI，thouartthou。"
　　ThesamespiritualseparationwhichlookedupandsawagoodkingintheuniverselookedupandsawabadkinginNaples。TheworshippersofBomba’sgoddethronedBomba。TheworshippersofSwinburne’sgodhavecoveredAsiaforcenturiesandhaveneverdethronedatyrant。
　　TheIndiansaintmayreasonablyshuthiseyesbecauseheislookingatthatwhichisIandThouandWeandTheyandIt。
　　Itisarationaloccupation：butitisnottrueintheoryandnottrueinfactthatithelpstheIndiantokeepaneyeonLordCurzon。
　　ThatexternalvigilancewhichhasalwaysbeenthemarkofChristianity（thecommandthatweshouldWATCHandpray）hasexpresseditselfbothintypicalwesternorthodoxyandintypicalwesternpolitics：
　　butbothdependontheideaofadivinitytranscendent，differentfromourselves，adeitythatdisappears。CertainlythemostsagaciouscreedsmaysuggestthatweshouldpursueGodintodeeperanddeeperringsofthelabyrinthofourownego。ButonlyweofChristendomhavesaidthatweshouldhuntGodlikeaneagleuponthemountains：
　　andwehavekilledallmonstersinthechase。
　　Hereagain，therefore，wefindthatinsofaraswevaluedemocracyandtheself-renewingenergiesofthewest，wearemuchmorelikelytofindthemintheoldtheologythanthenew。
　　Ifwewantreform，wemustadheretoorthodoxy：especiallyinthismatter（somuchdisputedinthecounselsofMr。R。J。Campbell），thematterofinsistingontheimmanentorthetranscendentdeity。
　　ByinsistingspeciallyontheimmanenceofGodwegetintrospection，self-isolation，quietism，socialindifference——Tibet。ByinsistingspeciallyonthetranscendenceofGodwegetwonder，curiosity，moralandpoliticaladventure，righteousindignation——Christendom。
　　InsistingthatGodisinsideman，manisalwaysinsidehimself。
　　ByinsistingthatGodtranscendsman，manhastranscendedhimself。
　　Ifwetakeanyotherdoctrinethathasbeencalledold-fashionedweshallfindthecasethesame。Itisthesame，forinstance，inthedeepmatteroftheTrinity。Unitarians（asectnevertobementionedwithoutaspecialrespectfortheirdistinguishedintellectualdignityandhighintellectualhonour）areoftenreformersbytheaccidentthatthrowssomanysmallsectsintosuchanattitude。
　　ButthereisnothingintheleastliberalorakintoreforminthesubstitutionofpuremonotheismfortheTrinity。ThecomplexGodoftheAthanasianCreedmaybeanenigmafortheintellect；
　　butHeisfarlesslikelytogatherthemysteryandcrueltyofaSultanthanthelonelygodofOmarorMahomet。ThegodwhoisamereawfulunityisnotonlyakingbutanEasternking。
　　TheHEARTofhumanity，especiallyofEuropeanhumanity，iscertainlymuchmoresatisfiedbythestrangehintsandsymbolsthatgatherroundtheTrinitarianidea，theimageofacouncilatwhichmercypleadsaswellasjustice，theconceptionofasortoflibertyandvarietyexistingevenintheinmostchamberoftheworld。
　　ForWesternreligionhasalwaysfeltkeenlytheidea"itisnotwellformantobealone。"ThesocialinstinctasserteditselfeverywhereaswhentheEasternideaofhermitswaspracticallyexpelledbytheWesternideaofmonks。Soevenasceticismbecamebrotherly；
　　andtheTrappistsweresociableevenwhentheyweresilent。
　　Ifthisloveofalivingcomplexitybeourtest，itiscertainlyhealthiertohavetheTrinitarianreligionthantheUnitarian。
　　FortousTrinitarians（ifImaysayitwithreverence）——tousGodHimselfisasociety。Itisindeedafathomlessmysteryoftheology，andevenifIweretheologianenoughtodealwithitdirectly，itwouldnotberelevanttodosohere。SufficeittosayherethatthistripleenigmaisascomfortingaswineandopenasanEnglishfireside；
　　thatthisthingthatbewilderstheintellectutterlyquietstheheart：
　　butoutofthedesert，fromthedryplacesandthedreadfulsuns，comethecruelchildrenofthelonelyGod；therealUnitarianswhowithscimitarinhandhavelaidwastetheworld。ForitisnotwellforGodtobealone。
　　Again，thesameistrueofthatdifficultmatterofthedangerofthesoul，whichhasunsettledsomanyjustminds。Tohopeforallsoulsisimperative；anditisquitetenablethattheirsalvationisinevitable。Itistenable，butitisnotspeciallyfavourabletoactivityorprogress。Ourfightingandcreativesocietyoughtrathertoinsistonthedangerofeverybody，onthefactthateverymanishangingbyathreadorclingingtoaprecipice。
　　Tosaythatallwillbewellanyhowisacomprehensibleremark：
　　butitcannotbecalledtheblastofatrumpet。Europeoughtrathertoemphasizepossibleperdition；andEuropealwayshasemphasizedit。
　　Hereitshighestreligionisatonewithallitscheapestromances。
　　TotheBuddhistortheeasternfatalistexistenceisascienceoraplan，whichmustendupinacertainway。ButtoaChristianexistenceisaSTORY，whichmayendupinanyway。Inathrillingnovel（thatpurelyChristianproduct）theheroisnoteatenbycannibals；butitisessentialtotheexistenceofthethrillthatheMIGHTbeeatenbycannibals。Theheromust（sotospeak）
　　beaneatablehero。SoChristianmoralshavealwayssaidtotheman，notthathewouldlosehissoul，butthathemusttakecarethathedidn’t。InChristianmorals，inshort，itiswickedtocallaman"damned"：butitisstrictlyreligiousandphilosophictocallhimdamnable。
　　AllChristianityconcentratesonthemanatthecross-roads。
　　Thevastandshallowphilosophies，thehugesynthesesofhumbug，alltalkaboutagesandevolutionandultimatedevelopments。
　　Thetruephilosophyisconcernedwiththeinstant。Willamantakethisroadorthat？——thatistheonlythingtothinkabout，ifyouenjoythinking。Theaeonsareeasyenoughtothinkabout，anyonecanthinkaboutthem。Theinstantisreallyawful：
　　anditisbecauseourreligionhasintenselyfelttheinstant，thatithasinliteraturedealtmuchwithbattleandintheologydealtmuchwithhell。ItisfullofDANGER，likeaboy’sbook：
　　itisatanimmortalcrisis。Thereisagreatdealofrealsimilaritybetweenpopularfictionandthereligionofthewesternpeople。
　　Ifyousaythatpopularfictionisvulgarandtawdry，youonlysaywhatthedrearyandwell-informedsayalsoabouttheimagesintheCatholicchurches。Life（accordingtothefaith）isverylikeaserialstoryinamagazine：lifeendswiththepromise（ormenace）
　　"tobecontinuedinournext。"Also，withanoblevulgarity，lifeimitatestheserialandleavesoffattheexcitingmoment。
　　Fordeathisdistinctlyanexcitingmoment。
　　Butthepointisthatastoryisexcitingbecauseithasinitsostronganelementofwill，ofwhattheologycallsfree-will。
　　Youcannotfinishasumhowyoulike。Butyoucanfinishastoryhowyoulike。WhensomebodydiscoveredtheDifferentialCalculustherewasonlyoneDifferentialCalculushecoulddiscover。
　　ButwhenShakespearekilledRomeohemighthavemarriedhimtoJuliet’soldnurseifhehadfeltinclined。AndChristendomhasexcelledinthenarrativeromanceexactlybecauseithasinsistedonthetheologicalfree-will。Itisalargematterandtoomuchtoonesideoftheroadtobediscussedadequatelyhere；butthisistherealobjectiontothattorrentofmoderntalkabouttreatingcrimeasdisease，aboutmakingaprisonmerelyahygienicenvironmentlikeahospital，ofhealingsinbyslowscientificmethods。
　　Thefallacyofthewholethingisthatevilisamatterofactivechoicewhereasdiseaseisnot。Ifyousaythatyouaregoingtocureaprofligateasyoucureanasthmatic，mycheapandobviousansweris，"Producethepeoplewhowanttobeasthmaticsasmanypeoplewanttobeprofligates。"Amanmayliestillandbecuredofamalady。
　　Buthemustnotliestillifhewantstobecuredofasin；
　　onthecontrary，hemustgetupandjumpaboutviolently。
　　Thewholepointindeedisperfectlyexpressedintheverywordwhichweuseforamaninhospital；"patient"isinthepassivemood；
　　"sinner"isintheactive。Ifamanistobesavedfrominfluenza，hemaybeapatient。Butifheistobesavedfromforging，hemustbenotapatientbutanIMPATIENT。Hemustbepersonallyimpatientwithforgery。Allmoralreformmuststartintheactivenotthepassivewill。
　　Hereagainwereachthesamesubstantialconclusion。InsofaraswedesirethedefinitereconstructionsandthedangerousrevolutionswhichhavedistinguishedEuropeancivilization，weshallnotdiscouragethethoughtofpossibleruin；weshallratherencourageit。
　　Ifwewant，liketheEasternsaints，merelytocontemplatehowrightthingsare，ofcourseweshallonlysaythattheymustgoright。
　　ButifweparticularlywanttoMAKEthemgoright，wemustinsistthattheymaygowrong。
　　Lastly，thistruthisyetagaintrueinthecaseofthecommonmodernattemptstodiminishortoexplainawaythedivinityofChrist。
　　Thethingmaybetrueornot；thatIshalldealwithbeforeIend。
　　Butifthedivinityistrueitiscertainlyterriblyrevolutionary。
　　Thatagoodmanmayhavehisbacktothewallisnomorethanweknewalready；butthatGodcouldhavehisbacktothewallisaboastforallinsurgentsforever。ChristianityistheonlyreligiononearththathasfeltthatomnipotencemadeGodincomplete。
　　ChristianityalonehasfeltthatGod，tobewhollyGod，musthavebeenarebelaswellasaking。Aloneofallcreeds，ChristianityhasaddedcouragetothevirtuesoftheCreator。
　　Fortheonlycourageworthcallingcouragemustnecessarilymeanthatthesoulpassesabreakingpoint——anddoesnotbreak。
　　InthisindeedIapproachamattermoredarkandawfulthanitiseasytodiscuss；andIapologiseinadvanceifanyofmyphrasesfallwrongorseemirreverenttouchingamatterwhichthegreatestsaintsandthinkershavejustlyfearedtoapproach。
　　ButinthatterrifictaleofthePassionthereisadistinctemotionalsuggestionthattheauthorofallthings（insomeunthinkableway）
　　wentnotonlythroughagony，butthroughdoubt。Itiswritten，"ThoushaltnottempttheLordthyGod。"No；buttheLordthyGodmaytemptHimself；anditseemsasifthiswaswhathappenedinGethsemane。
　　InagardenSatantemptedman：andinagardenGodtemptedGod。
　　Hepassedinsomesuperhumanmannerthroughourhumanhorrorofpessimism。Whentheworldshookandthesunwaswipedoutofheaven，itwasnotatthecrucifixion，butatthecryfromthecross：
　　thecrywhichconfessedthatGodwasforsakenofGod。Andnowlettherevolutionistschooseacreedfromallthecreedsandagodfromallthegodsoftheworld，carefullyweighingallthegodsofinevitablerecurrenceandofunalterablepower。Theywillnotfindanothergodwhohashimselfbeeninrevolt。Nay，（themattergrowstoodifficultforhumanspeech，）butlettheatheiststhemselveschooseagod。
　　Theywillfindonlyonedivinitywhoeverutteredtheirisolation；
　　onlyonereligioninwhichGodseemedforaninstanttobeanatheist。
　　Thesecanbecalledtheessentialsoftheoldorthodoxy，ofwhichthechiefmeritisthatitisthenaturalfountainofrevolutionandreform；andofwhichthechiefdefectisthatitisobviouslyonlyanabstractassertion。Itsmainadvantageisthatitisthemostadventurousandmanlyofalltheologies。
　　Itschiefdisadvantageissimplythatitisatheology。Itcanalwaysbeurgedagainstitthatitisinitsnaturearbitraryandintheair。
　　Butitisnotsohighintheairbutthatgreatarchersspendtheirwholelivesinshootingarrowsatit——yes，andtheirlastarrows；
　　therearemenwhowillruinthemselvesandruintheircivilizationiftheymayruinalsothisoldfantastictale。Thisisthelastandmostastoundingfactaboutthisfaith；thatitsenemieswilluseanyweaponagainstit，theswordsthatcuttheirownfingers，andthefirebrandsthatburntheirownhomes。MenwhobegintofighttheChurchforthesakeoffreedomandhumanityendbyflingingawayfreedomandhumanityifonlytheymayfighttheChurch。
　　Thisisnoexaggeration；Icouldfillabookwiththeinstancesofit。
　　Mr。Blatchfordsetout，asanordinaryBible-smasher，toprovethatAdamwasguiltlessofsinagainstGod；inmanoeuvringsoastomaintainthisheadmitted，asameresideissue，thatallthetyrants，fromNerotoKingLeopold，wereguiltlessofanysinagainsthumanity。
　　Iknowamanwhohassuchapassionforprovingthathewillhavenopersonalexistenceafterdeaththathefallsbackonthepositionthathehasnopersonalexistencenow。HeinvokesBuddhismandsaysthatallsoulsfadeintoeachother；inordertoprovethathecannotgotoheavenheprovesthathecannotgotoHartlepool。
　　Ihaveknownpeoplewhoprotestedagainstreligiouseducationwithargumentsagainstanyeducation，sayingthatthechild’smindmustgrowfreelyorthattheoldmustnotteachtheyoung。Ihaveknownpeoplewhoshowedthattherecouldbenodivinejudgmentbyshowingthattherecanbenohumanjudgment，evenforpracticalpurposes。
　　Theyburnedtheirowncorntosetfiretothechurch；theysmashedtheirowntoolstosmashit；anystickwasgoodenoughtobeatitwith，thoughitwerethelaststickoftheirowndismemberedfurniture。
　　Wedonotadmire，wehardlyexcuse，thefanaticwhowrecksthisworldforloveoftheother。Butwhatarewetosayofthefanaticwhowrecksthisworldoutofhatredoftheother？Hesacrificestheveryexistenceofhumanitytothenon-existenceofGod。
　　Heoffershisvictimsnottothealtar，butmerelytoasserttheidlenessofthealtarandtheemptinessofthethrone。
　　Heisreadytoruineventhatprimaryethicbywhichallthingslive，forhisstrangeandeternalvengeanceuponsomeonewhoneverlivedatall。
　　Andyetthethinghangsintheheavensunhurt。Itsopponentsonlysucceedindestroyingallthattheythemselvesjustlyholddear。
　　Theydonotdestroyorthodoxy；theyonlydestroypoliticalandcommoncouragesense。TheydonotprovethatAdamwasnotresponsibletoGod；howcouldtheyproveit？Theyonlyprove（fromtheirpremises）thattheCzarisnotresponsibletoRussia。
　　TheydonotprovethatAdamshouldnothavebeenpunishedbyGod；
　　theyonlyprovethatthenearestsweatershouldnotbepunishedbymen。
　　Withtheirorientaldoubtsaboutpersonalitytheydonotmakecertainthatweshallhavenopersonallifehereafter；theyonlymakecertainthatweshallnothaveaveryjollyorcompleteonehere。
　　WiththeirparalysinghintsofallconclusionscomingoutwrongtheydonottearthebookoftheRecordingAngel；theyonlymakeitalittlehardertokeepthebooksofMarshall&Snelgrove。
　　Notonlyisthefaiththemotherofallworldlyenergies，butitsfoesarethefathersofallworldlyconfusion。Thesecularistshavenotwreckeddivinethings；butthesecularistshavewreckedsecularthings，ifthatisanycomforttothem。TheTitansdidnotscaleheaven；
　　buttheylaidwastetheworld。
　　IXAUTHORITYANDTHEADVENTURER
　　Thelastchapterhasbeenconcernedwiththecontentionthatorthodoxyisnotonly（asisoftenurged）theonlysafeguardianofmoralityororder，butisalsotheonlylogicalguardianofliberty，innovationandadvance。Ifwewishtopulldowntheprosperousoppressorwecannotdoitwiththenewdoctrineofhumanperfectibility；
　　wecandoitwiththeolddoctrineofOriginalSin。Ifwewanttouprootinherentcrueltiesorliftuplostpopulationswecannotdoitwiththescientifictheorythatmatterprecedesmind；wecandoitwiththesupernaturaltheorythatmindprecedesmatter。
　　Ifwewishspeciallytoawakenpeopletosocialvigilanceandtirelesspursuitofpractise，wecannothelpitmuchbyinsistingontheImmanentGodandtheInnerLight：fortheseareatbestreasonsforcontentment；wecanhelpitmuchbyinsistingonthetranscendentGodandtheflyingandescapinggleam；forthatmeansdivinediscontent。IfwewishparticularlytoasserttheideaofagenerousbalanceagainstthatofadreadfulautocracyweshallinstinctivelybeTrinitarianratherthanUnitarian。IfwedesireEuropeancivilizationtobearaidandarescue，weshallinsistratherthatsoulsareinrealperilthanthattheirperilisultimatelyunreal。Andifwewishtoexalttheoutcastandthecrucified，weshallratherwishtothinkthataveritableGodwascrucified，ratherthanameresageorhero。Aboveall，ifwewishtoprotectthepoorweshallbeinfavouroffixedrulesandcleardogmas。
　　TheRULESofaclubareoccasionallyinfavourofthepoormember。
　　Thedriftofaclubisalwaysinfavouroftherichone。