Psychology of the Religious Life #261074

In the religious life there is an inherent struggle. The presence Of the Supremely Impressive makes the self and other men and all the common goods Of life Objects at once Of value and contempt. Reverence calls forth both hope and fear, both rejoicing and dejection. And yet men naturally see this conflict, not as wholly in themselves, but at least in part as without the parts and powers Of the world appear to be in mutual strife. There is, however, in peoples and religions a differing sense Of this discord. The Greek pictured the world, somewhat as he built his temple, with a certain Simple grace; while the Germanic mind, like the Gothic vault with its impenetrable shadows, saw the gloom and the evil close to what is fair. Every people and every person in varying degree reveals a peculiar feeling Of the tension Of the world.