human
Yes, I admit it gives many wonderful promises, but where are they realized? It seems to me the very fact that the church has not proven them, made such people as Robert Elsmere doubt them even as possible of fulfillment.
gpt
Why Grace, surely _you_ don't disbelieve in the power of God to fulfill the promises?
human
I am talking from Robert Elsmere's standpoint,
gpt
My sympathy is with Catherine, for to her, religion was a living answer to her deepest needs and feelings, and to doubt that answer was nothing less than sacrilege,
human
Well, answered Grace, throwing down her napkin,
gpt
I want to see a religion that will stand infinite investigation without falling into ruins, and Robert reasoned himself away from the old beliefs and dogmas because he investigated them. He used his God-given reason, and I think that is to be used as well as the blind, unquestioning faith of Catherine.
human
There are times when we need faith and times when we need reason, but faith applies to religion and reason to the things of the world,
gpt
Well, to me the ideal of religion is a marriage, a union of faith and reason--but this is idle talk. What does anybody know of such perfection as I demand anyway?
human
Such is the world, understand it, despise it, love it; cheerfully hold on thy way through it, with thy eye on highest loadstars.