H. G. Wells - Religion

Religion

Wells wrote in his book God the Invisible King that his idea of God did not draw upon the traditional religions of the world: "This book sets out as forcibly and exactly as possible the religious belief of the writer. is a profound belief in a personal and intimate God". Later in the work he aligns himself with a "renascent or modern religion ... neither atheist nor Buddhist nor Mohammedan nor Christian ... he has found growing up in himself".

Of Christianity he has this to say: "... it is not now true for me ... Every believing Christian is, I am sure, my spiritual brother ... but if systemically I called myself a Christian I feel that to most men I should imply too much and so tell a lie." Of other world religions he writes: "All these religions are true for me as Canterbury Cathedral is a true thing and as a Swiss chalet is a true thing. There they are, and they have served a purpose, they have worked. Only they are not true for me to live in them ... They do not work for me."

Read more about this topic:  H. G. Wells

Famous quotes containing the word religion:

    No, no; Religion is a Spring
    That from some secret, golden Mine
    Derives her birth, and thence doth bring
    Cordials in every drop, and Wine;
    Henry Vaughan (1622–1695)

    The stallion and his mare,
    unbridled, with arrow-pattern,
    are worked on.
    the blue cloth
    before the door
    of religion and inspiration....
    Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)

    Is there any religion but this, to know, that, wherever in the wide desert of being, the holy sentiment we cherish has opened into a flower, it blooms for me? If none sees it, I see it; I am aware, if I alone, of the greatness of the fact. Whilst it blooms, I will keep sabbath or holy time, and suspend my gloom, and my folly and jokes.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)