To primitive man, death was a shocking combination of chance and mystery. UB 86:3.1
Dreams gave origin to the belief in a future life. UB 86:4.2
The ghost cult led to the belief in recurring incarnations. UB 86:4.5
Death was feared, because it released another ghost to be contended with. UB 87:1.1
The funeral service was an effort to get rid of the ghost. UB 87:2.3
Man inherited a natural environment, acquired a social environment, and imagined a ghost environment. The state is man’s reaction to natural environment, the home to his social environment, the church to his illusory ghost environment. UB 86:6.1
Salvation depended on vows, oaths, pledges, fasting, and prayer. Then came self-denial, suffering, and deprivation. UB 87:6.16
The cult of sacrifice evolved into the cult of sacrament. UB 89:9.4
Religious observances evolved through placation, avoidance, exorcism, coercion, conciliation, and propitiation to sacrifice, atonement, and redemption. UB 90:0.1
Ritual sanctifies custom and perpetuates myths. UB 90:5.2
Mysticism often leads to social isolation and religious fanaticism. UB 91:7.1
The common people craved consolation and promises of salvation. UB 98:4.1
The early Christian cult was most effective, but is today devitalized by the loss of fundamental ideas. UB 87:7.4
No cult will survive unless it embodies some masterful mystery. UB 87:7.9
Doctrines may differ, but in worship unity can be realized. UB 92:7.4
Religion is the foundation and guiding star of enduring civilization. UB 92:7.15
Jesus enlarged the neighbor concept to embrace the whole of humanity. UB 103:5.2
The great need of both science and religion is fearless self-criticism. UB 103:7.7
The religion of the Hebrews exalted morals, the Greeks beauty. Paul preached faith, hope, and charity. Jesus revealed a religion of love, security, and service. UB 196:3.19
To Jesus, prayer was “doing the Father’s will”—a way of religious living. UB 196:0.10