The Equinox (Volume I, Number IX)

ARTICLE II SOLUTION OF THE SECOND PROBLEM TRUE RELIGION RELIGION exists in humanity, like love. Like it, it is unique. Like it, it either exists, or does not exist, in such and such a soul; but, whether one accepts it or denies it, it is in humanity; it is, then, in life, it is in nature itself; it is an incontestable fact of science, and even of reason. The true religion is that which has always existed, which exists to-day, and will exist for ever. Some one may say that religion is this or that; religion is what it is. This is the true religion, and the false religions are superstitions imitated from her, borrowed from her, lying shadows of herself ! One may say of religion what one says of true art. Savage attempts at painting or sculpture are the attempts of ignorance to arrive at the truth. Art proves itself by itself, is radiant with its own splendour, is unique and eternal like beauty. The true religion is beautiful, and it is by that divine character that it imposes itself on the respect of science, and obtains the assent of reason. Science dare not affirm or deny those dogmatic hypotheses which are truths for faith; but it must recognize by unmis- 72