In answer to the question which sometimes arises, whether the aspirant could continue to remain, without hypocrisy, in communion with an orthodoxy such as the Church of England, while holding the philosophic view of Jesus, the reply is that he could certainly do so. There is absolutely no need to break away from the Church nor to give up the services of institutional religion. Philosophy makes no pronouncements against these items but leaves it entirely to each individual to make his own decision in such matters. The decision must depend upon his circumstances, temperament, and so forth. Philosophy merely says that such services are not enough in themselves to ensure illumination in the case of the believer, while in the case of the sceptic they are useless. They may have their value to quite a number of people, and if one feels the need of them or of religious fellowship, it would be quite permissible for him to continue them. This need not at all be construed as hypocrisy or cowardice. However, no one should act hastily in so vital a matter. He has not only to consider the effect of such an act upon himself, but also upon the community around him. It might even be that, although the service no longer satisfied him personally, he might have to continue it for the sake of setting an example to other, less mature persons who still fully believe in it--since they think they are receiving help from it--and who are influenced by his decisions.
-- Notebooks Category 17: The Religious Urge > Chapter 6 : Philosophy and Religion > # 162
