On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured DespisersSchleiermacher's addresses on religion to the cultured critics of his time comprise one of those rare works of literature that masterfully initiate an epoch but long continue to realize an influence far transcending their original effect. They comprise a masterpiece not only of personal testimony but of intelligent witness to that which is most lasting and fundamental, though often most elusive and difficult to achieve, in human life and culture. Religion presumable constitutes the most important set of relationships that can be cultivated in a person. Yet religion is often the most readily misunderstood and maligned. Schleiermacher's aim in these addresses is to penetrate the excrescences and the corruptions of so-called religion to reach its vital heart so as to clarify what religion essentially is, to suggest how it is to be found, to consider how it may be cultivated, and perhaps also to stimulate a responding chord of sensitively and devotion among his hearers. He is not trying to put something over on anyone. In tolerant, open-hearted response to familiar attitudes he is simply replying, again and again: "Is the situation really what you say? Consider this!" Or: "Yes, you are entirely correct, but that is not religion. You are looking in the wrong place." Or: "You are moving in the right direction but in the wrong way." |
Contents
SECOND SPEECHTHE NATURE OF RELIGION | 26 |
THIRD SPEECHTHE CULTIVATION OF RELIGION | 119 |
FOURTH SPEECHASSOCIATION IN RELIGION OR CHURCH | 147 |
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action activity appear awake become believe belong better character characteristic Christ Christianity common communion comprehend conception connection consciousness contemplation corruption culture definite Deism Deity developed distinction divine divine grace elements endeavour eternal everything exhibit existence expression faith feeling fellowship forms of religion freedom FRIEDRICH SCHLEIERMACHER Germany Glaubenslehre Hence Henriette Herz higher highest holy human idea immortality impulse individual Infinite influence intuition irreligion Judaism knowledge laity limited living manifestations matter mediator metaphysics mind morality natural religion never Novalis object original outward pantheistic peculiar person philosophy of religion piety pious Polytheism polytheistic positive religions present principle produce Protestantism pure regard relation religious emotions religious society Rudolf Otto sacred Schleiermacher seek sense sense fails single soul speak Speeches sphere Spinoza spirit stand thought tion true church understand union unity Universe utterance whereby Wherefore whole wish yourselves