Religion and Science
7. The ‘Religion’ of the Modern Age
~ 109 ~
7. THE ‘RELIGION’ OF THE MODERN
AGE
INTRODUCTION
“Complete scepticism,” observes Julian Huxley, “is
not practicable. Religion of some sort is probably
necessary.”
But by his lights the religion of the modern age will
be a godless one, without revelation. The absurdity
of this contradiction in terms is patent, yet, as a
concept, it is backed by a long-standing philosophy
which has not failed to have its influence on the
modern mind, so that not only anti-religionists, but
also many religionists—whatever other differences
of opinion they may have—subscribe currently to
the view that guidance through revelation is an
impossibility. They prefer to believe in human
discovery in this realm as in all other sciences. “The
next great task of science,” said Lord Morley, “is to
create a religion for mankind.”
1
Of the ‘humanist’ group, even those who pay lip-
service to religion, do not use the latter word with
