The philosopher successfully reinterprets in the secrecy of his own mind the dogmas, rituals, and beliefs of every religion that history, scriptures, circumstance, or study brings into his life. Thus, too, he is able to save the truth of religion when others impatiently reject that along with the falsity of religion. It is true that the comparative study of religions, in a spirit of sympathetic detachment from all and prejudice against none, is rare. But it is a useful part of philosophic study. The rational investigator can take no scripture as finally authoritative but must take all scriptures on their merits. He understands that a religious message is partly shaped by the character and tradition of the country in which it has been delivered. Taking into consideration the various beliefs of human development, he finds it desirable that there be room for variety in religions and for freedom in thought. The Inner Voice has spoken differently to different people. The variety of religions proves not that they cancel each other out but that they arose in response to a variety of needs. Nobody will be kept out of the kingdom of heaven because he does not belong to the orthodox religion which prevails in the place where, by the accident of his birth, he happens to live. Nobody will get into the kingdom of heaven because he does belong to the orthodox religion. The right of entry will depend on quite other and quite nobler qualifications.
-- Notebooks Category 17: The Religious Urge > Chapter 6 : Philosophy and Religion > # 25
