An American Bible

In courts of law, the phrase" I believe" has no standing. Never a witness gives testimony but that he is cautioned thus; "Tell us what you know, not what you believe." In theology, belief has always been regarded as more important than that which your senses say is so. Almost without exception," belief" is a legacy, an importation something borrowed, an echo, and often an echo of an echo. The Creed of the Future will begin," I know," not," I believe." And this creed will not be forced upon the people. It will carry with it no coercion, no blackmail, no promise of an eternal life of idleness and ease if you accept it, and no threat of Hell if you don't. It will have no paid, professional priesthood, claiming honors, rebates and exemptions, nor will it hold estates free from taxation. It will not organize itself into a system, marry itself to the State, and call on the police for support. It will be so reasonable, so in the line of self-preservation, that no sane man or woman will reject it, and when we really begin to live it we will cease to talk about it.