1 -- PRELIMINARY REMARKS
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1. The apathy which manifests itself amongst the most intelligent classes, specially amongst scientific men, in respect of religion, is due to the fact that religious matters are more or less shrouded in sentimentality, mysticism, and dogmatic faith, and are void of that practical and
matter-of-fact research which distinguishes a scientific study. To endow religion with practical and scientific interest, it is, therefore, essential that religious research should be conducted on the same lines as those employed in scientific research, that is to say, the object in view should be clearly defined, and practical measures prescribed and adopted for the attainment of that object.
The principles and experimentations, or the practical devotional methods, of such a scientific religion, are described in the following pages.
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2 -- THE OBJECT OF RELIGION
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2. A desire to acquire pleasure or to avoid pain appears to be the motive of all animate volition and acts. Involuntary actions and thoughts of animate existence also to some extent partake of this tendency, that is to say, there is co-operation, assimilation, or acceptance of the condition helpful or conducive to wellbeing , and there is resistance or receding in the case of a contrary condition. The terms, 'pleasure' and 'pain', have been used, here and elsewhere, in the most comprehensive sense, including all prospective and retrospective conditions, whether appertaining to self or connected with others.
3. It is clear that a motive, actuated by the impulse described above, can find a final resting place in such a state alone as is entirely free from pain and opposition of every description, and is one of supreme bliss. This is the object of religion in its extreme analytical aspect.
4. A study of the laws of spirit-force, a clear and positive knowledge of the Supreme Creator, and of the economy, the genesis, and the object of creation, and of the true duty of the sentient entity in the universe, are other ends in view in a scientific study of religion.
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