By religion, then, I understand a propitiation or…
““By religion, then, I understand a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man which are believed to direct and control the course of nature and of human life. Thus defined, religion consists of two elements, a theoretical and a practical, namely, a belief in powers higher than man and an attempt to propitiate or please them. Of the two, belief clearly comes first, since we must believe in the existence of a divine being before we can attempt to please him. But unless the belief leads to a corresponding practice, it is not a religion but merely a theology; in the language of St. James, “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” In other words, no man is religious who does not govern his conduct in some measure by the fear or love of God. On the other hand, mere practice, divested of all religious belief, is also not religion. Two men may behave in exactly the same way, and yet one of them may be religious and the other not. If the one acts from the love or fear of God, he is religious; if the other acts from the love or fear of man, he is moral or immoral according as his behaviour comports or conflicts with the general good.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Religion requires belief plus practice; without action, it’s merely theology.
In simple terms: Faith without works is dead.
Key Takeaway
Align belief with action.
Themes
faith
practice
religion
morality
philosophy
Mood
analytical
philosophical
instructive
Type
Faith:1
Fear of god:0
Human life:0
Life:0
Love of god:0
Power:0
Religion:1
Religious belief:1
Supernatural:0
Superstition:0
Belief Religion:0
Religion Consists:0
Propitiate Belief:0
Defined Religion:0
When to use this quote
- personal worship
- community service
- ethical decision‑making
- spiritual growth
- public policy
Key Concepts
theology
ethical behavior
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What distinguishes religion from theology?
- How does love vs. fear shape morality?
A Different Perspective
May not account for non‑practicing believers.