RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE OXFORD GROUP MOVEMENT
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Religious experience is a very real and life-changing thing but Christianity has no monopoly of it and it is, therefore, no criterion of Truth, as between one religion and another.
The spiritual effect of a belief is independent of its truth or falsity and religious experience is the reward of the enthusiastic and sincere believer whether he be right or wrong.
Each religion has evolved with the civilization of which it forms a part, the one acting and reacting upon the other. Both are conventions, rules of the game, customs of thought and action, and are useful as bonds of union which help us to think and feel and act together. Both are oases in the desert of the unknown wherein may dwell those who do not care to wander. Neither have any real relation to the truth of the man of science or philosopher.
It is significant, I think, that many will agree with me with regard to all religions except their own.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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