Article August 9, 1924 Issue

Signs of the Times

Chronicle

[From "My Idea of God," in the Chronicle, San Francisco, Calif., April 20, 1924]

With the rising tide of religious interest that has come, representative citizens ... have given expression of their ideas of God in line with the thoughts of some of America's most prominent men that have been published daily in the Chronicle. Diversity and democracy mark the assembling of these opinions. ... Lofty and humble, rich and poor—all testify to the amazing renaissance of spiritual interest. This has been predicted by the world's leaders since the close of the Great War.... The predictions were made, not by churchmen alone, but by statesmen and soldiers, captains of industry and leaders of labor alike. They saw that it was inevitable for humanity to turn to spiritual consolation against the bruising by materialistic force. Just as the forecasts by prophets of old were interpreted variously by men of many minds, so this spiritual regeneration was looked for in many forms... But the expected renaissance was long in coming... Suddenly a change became apparent... Religion suddenly became a subject discussed wherever men and women meet. In drawing-rooms, where it had been unfashionable," it came into conversation. In all other places where gregarious humanity congregates it is of absorbing interest... From the laboratories of great scientists, from the studios of artists, from actors, writers, prelates, professional men, inventors, in fact from every walk of life, have come opinions based upon profound study of the phenomena. Some of these opinions, it is true, fall outside of the fold of what is usually regarded as religious life. They deny belief in many factors regarded as essential to faith. In some cases they set up matter and force as the gods of man—immutable laws of nature, impersonal and blind. These opinions, and others involving evolution and other theories, have horrified the orthodox. But what they do show is that men are thinking of this subject... How keenly... people in all walks of life are attacking this subject is shown by the interest displayed in the series of "My Idea of God" the Chronicle is publishing daily (a few of which follow):—

C. A. Templeton, Governor of Connecticut.—I am not a theologian and I am not a philosopher. I am a simple citizen, an everyday man who is interested neither in abstruse discussions nor in unedifying questions of dogma... Truth and right are often found in the humble walks of life. Simplicity is nature's first law. It is the essence of Christianity. And I am a Christian. Personally, I am well satisfied with the Bible. Or, to summarize my articles of faith in briefer form, I find my conception of religion and of God contained in the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Signs of the Times

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access