A concise and detailed review of the past, in the long journey of man toward civilization and independent self-knowledge, has not been herein attempted. Only hints, here and there, and the barest outline have been undertaken.
If, however, the intelligent student will follow these clews, he will find a mass of material and abundant evidence to corroborate the general thesis.
Every great religion has had its Avatar, its Redeemer, its Christos.
Each of these religions has adapted from its predecessors and transformed the old, in whole or in part, to suit the conditions and apparent needs of the time.
Each of these revivals of religion has been instituted on account of the abominations of a dominant priesthood and the poverty and degradation of the masses. What was at first claimed and instituted as a Divine Revelation for the elevation and happiness of the whole people, has openly and shamelessly degenerated into enslavement of the masses and the creation of a despotic and arrogant class who enslaved both body and soul in the name of Religion.
Priest, Prince, and Potentate generally, united to terrorize through force, and by superstition and fear, in order to retain their power.
The reaction has invariably resulted from economic conditions, as in the case of the Protestant Reformation, when the gold sent to Rome through the shameless sale of Indulgences, threatened to impoverish the whole of Northern Europe, and Princes broke allegiance to the Priesthood in desperate self-protection.
Then, and then only, came sufficient protest and Reformation.
The religionist is apt to regard and designate Science as “profane,” and Religion per se, as essentially “holy.”
Nothing can be really considered “holy” that does not elevate, encourage, and inspire the whole human race and promote the Brotherhood of Man. Whenever any religion fails to do this it becomes indeed a profanation of holy things.