This was written by Will Durant in 1957. In some ways, I think his description of the 1700s matches more closely to our current day than his description of his today. We are today so uncertain and diverse in our opinions as to the origin and destiny of the world and man that we have ceased, in most countries, to punish people for differing from us in their religious beliefs. Our present intolerance is rather for those who question or economic or political principles, and we explain our frightened dogmatism on the ground that any doubt thrown upon these cherished assumptions endangers or national solidarity and survival. Until the middle of the seventeenth century Christians, Jews and Moslems were more acutely concerned with religion than we are today; their theologies were their most prized and confident possessions; and they looked upon those who rejected these creeds as attacking the foundations of social order and the very significance of human life. Each group was hardened by certainty into intolerance, and branded the others as infidels.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 00:09:25 +0000
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