Martin Luther, with his characteristic...
Illustration
Martin Luther, with his characteristic bluntness, once observed, "there is no more sin in a man's sex life than in his religious life." Luther stated what we have long known and shall never forget: religion can be lyrical and lovely and humane, and it can also become quite wicked and damaging to the human spirit.
Have you ever noted how polls often divide human beings into two groups: the religious and the irreligious? And there is the supposition that being religious confers a superior quality upon one. Yet, look at what religion has done: the inquisition, the crusades, the ritual sacrifice of humans, ugly superstitions, barricades built against every advance of science. On the other hand, it was religious groups that built the first hospitals, the great universities and homes for the orphaned and aged. Good religion is open and growing and sensitive and curious and does not confine the human spirit, but enlarges it.
There is a startling medieval legend of a monk who wandered all over Europe carrying a torch in one hand and a pail of water in the other. When asked about this he said: "The torch is to burn down heaven, and the water is to put out the fires of hell. And then we shall see who really loves God."
The prophet Malachi was right to ask the question: "But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears?"
- Kirby
Have you ever noted how polls often divide human beings into two groups: the religious and the irreligious? And there is the supposition that being religious confers a superior quality upon one. Yet, look at what religion has done: the inquisition, the crusades, the ritual sacrifice of humans, ugly superstitions, barricades built against every advance of science. On the other hand, it was religious groups that built the first hospitals, the great universities and homes for the orphaned and aged. Good religion is open and growing and sensitive and curious and does not confine the human spirit, but enlarges it.
There is a startling medieval legend of a monk who wandered all over Europe carrying a torch in one hand and a pail of water in the other. When asked about this he said: "The torch is to burn down heaven, and the water is to put out the fires of hell. And then we shall see who really loves God."
The prophet Malachi was right to ask the question: "But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears?"
- Kirby
