God Arises
Review
~ 48 ~
With regard to the historical approach, it is clear
that religion like other social activities evolves.
Further, its evolution is determined by momentum,
its inner logic and the influence of the material and
social conditions of the period. As an example of the
first, take the tendency from polytheism towards
monotheism: granted the theistic premise, this
tendency seems almost inevitably to declare itself in
the course of time.
4
Religion, consequently, comes to be regarded as a
mere social process, rather than as a revelation of
reality. That which is a revelation of reality is an
ideal in itself, and its history with all its
manifestations has to be studied in this light. On the
other hand, that which is only a social process has
no inherent ideal. The response of society alone
determines its position. Anything which enjoys the
status of a social norm or social tradition can retain
its position so long as society gives it a de facto
status. If society discards it and adopts any other
practice in its place, then its historical interest only
can survive and its importance as a social tradition
falls into oblivion.
