The Psicology of Religions Sects; A Companioun of Types (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1912 Excerpt: ... EXPERIENTIAL TYPES THE term experiential is intended to describe all those religious events in life which make profound impressions (because of their intimate personal character) and which are invariably associated with the emotions. To experience, etymologically, is to go through. Everyone appreciates the significance of the expression "to go through" an ordeal or a trial. A religious experience which one goes through is something more than the quiet growth into the religious life from a non-religious life, such as many excellent Christians have had. In church circles a religious experience implies a period during which one's nature is aroused in a characteristic way. The deliberate argument which a man may quietly and calmly hold with himself and which may lead him to change his whole course of conduct is not a religious experience. The stillness of a starlight night which quiets the mind and arouses the feelings of wonder and reverence can so impress a man that his whole life is guided thereafter by what he believes are God's purposes instead of selfish ones. That would be a religious experience. This is not the place to compare the relative worth of the emotional and intellectual influences which operate to arouse the spiritual nature. All that we need to do here is to note that the religious experience is associated with the feelings and that it is impossible without them. Indeed, any profound experience is impossible without them. It is a very true truism that "no one lives his whole life above his collar" There is no such thing as a "thinking machine" outside of fiction. Hard-headed people may be contrasted with soft-hearted people. Cold-blooded logicians may be the antitheses of highspirited artists. Nevertheless, be the logician's head ever so har...