Artículos relacionados a Free Discussion of Religious Topics
Sinopsis
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.1868 Excerpt: ... of true doctrine and the rejection of false. But this brings us to another question which cannot be evaded--who is to determine what is true doctrine and what is false? Is it to be the sovereign, or the civil government whatever that may be? Is it reasonable and right that any one man or body of men should impose their convictions on the nation? Arbitrary and tyrannical rule may do this: it may be claimed as part of the functions of what has been termed a paternal government; but no really free people can be supposed to submit to it. Is not the existing creed of the people that which alone can be recognised by the nation's rulers as its church's creed? This surely and none other. But if this be so, one consequence follows, to which I would call especial attention. The embodiment of a creed so determined in articles and other formularies requires, not that definite decision on all doctrinal points which may be appropriate in other religious communities, but such a statement of them as may leave room for the diversity of religious views which exists in the nation. Herein is the main difficulty and obstacle in the way of establishing a national church; and the difficulty is greatly increased by the changes which ever take place, as time rolls on, in the religious views of men. If there is no right in any one man or body of men to prescribe a creed to the nation--on the same principle, no one generation of men, though it may comprise the entire nation at the time, can have the right of imposing its creed on another generation of men against their consciences and wills. It may be objected to this, that the whole frame-work of society rests on the recognition of the principle, that the few may bind the many, and one generation succeeding generations; that, by vir...
"Sinopsis" puede pertenecer a otra edición de este libro.
Reseña del editor
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.1868 Excerpt: ... of true doctrine and the rejection of false. But this brings us to another question which cannot be evaded--who is to determine what is true doctrine and what is false? Is it to be the sovereign, or the civil government whatever that may be? Is it reasonable and right that any one man or body of men should impose their convictions on the nation? Arbitrary and tyrannical rule may do this: it may be claimed as part of the functions of what has been termed a paternal government; but no really free people can be supposed to submit to it. Is not the existing creed of the people that which alone can be recognised by the nation's rulers as its church's creed? This surely and none other. But if this be so, one consequence follows, to which I would call especial attention. The embodiment of a creed so determined in articles and other formularies requires, not that definite decision on all doctrinal points which may be appropriate in other religious communities, but such a statement of them as may leave room for the diversity of religious views which exists in the nation. Herein is the main difficulty and obstacle in the way of establishing a national church; and the difficulty is greatly increased by the changes which ever take place, as time rolls on, in the religious views of men. If there is no right in any one man or body of men to prescribe a creed to the nation--on the same principle, no one generation of men, though it may comprise the entire nation at the time, can have the right of imposing its creed on another generation of men against their consciences and wills. It may be objected to this, that the whole frame-work of society rests on the recognition of the principle, that the few may bind the many, and one generation succeeding generations; that, by vir...
"Sobre este título" puede pertenecer a otra edición de este libro.
