Book Title: Jainism and World Problems
Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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Page 158
________________ 150 JAINISM AND WORLD PROBLEMS accounted for by the fantastic theorem that hitherto men have not understood Christianity, and that only in modern times have its founder's teachings been comprehended. Obviously there has been no such development. The gospels' inculcation of love and concord are as simple as may be, and have at all times been perfectly intelligible : wliat has been lacking is the habit of mind and will that secures the fulfilment of such precepts." Mr. Robertson explains the reason for the absence of what may be termed the proper religious habit of the inind as follows : “An explanation is to be found in a study of the normal results of guiding conduct by emotional leanings rather than by critical reflection. The former is peculiarly the process of evangelical religion. Hence comes thc practical inefficacy of a love of peace derived either inertly through acceptance of a form of words declared to be sacred, or through an emotional assent to such words emotionally propounded. Emotions evolved are of the surface, and are erased as easily as they are induced, by stronger emotions proceeding from the animal nature. Only a small minority of Christians, accordingly, are found to resist the rush of war-like passions; and some who call most excitedly for peace when there is no war are found among those most excited by the war passion as soon as the contagion stirs." Does the voice of history proclaim any other of the Seinitic group of religions to have fared better in bringing hiappiness and peace to mankind ? Mr. Robertson does not think so ; he adds : “Whatever may be the outcome of freedom for self-development in the light of western civilization, there is plainly little to choose as between Christian, Jewish, and Moslein inoral material in those regions after two thousand Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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