--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Milton Bennion collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 34 number: 1 published: 1930-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Milton Bennion, “A Spiritual Philosophy of Life: A Philosophic View of Life,” *Improvement Era* 34, no. 1 (November 1930): 39–41." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3401unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera3401unse start_page: 39 end_page: 41 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1930-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3401unse publication_year: 1930 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1930, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Spiritual Philosophy of Life: A Philosophic View of Life A Spiritual Philosophy of Life By MILTON BENNION Dean of the School of Education, University of Utah XII A Philosophic View of the Church and Its Service What Are the Fundamental Characteristics of the Church? How Is It Related to Other Social Institutions? In What Ways May the Church be Helpful to Its Members? THE historic church has been almost universally the ex- ponent of theological prin- ciples as they relate to faith in God, something of his nature and of the nature of man, and es- pecially of the relationship be- tween God and man as it may affect human destiny. Upon this basis is reared a system of religion which includes man's obligations to God and to his fellow-men, a complete system of practical, every- day living. The church as a social institu- tion is the sponsor of religion and, as a rule, is the means by which individuals are brought together in groups for worship, for inspira- tion to better living, and for or- ganization of such religious activi- ties as call for systematic coopera- tion. Many of the most funda- mental purposes of religion can be realized only by cooperation of persons interested in these pur- poses. This, in turn, calls for or- ganization and systematic work under competent leadership. Thus the religious worker who is affili- ated with a church has oppor- tunities for service that are not so readily available to one who has no church or other religious in- stitutional affiliations. ""THERE is now a disposition on the part of some churches to drop all theological doctrines and thus to transform the church into a mere ethical culture society. Ex- perience thus far indicates that while this plan makes for greater individual freedom of thought and thus invites to its fold any one who is willing to affiliate, irre- spective of religious belief, such an organization, for the masses of mankind, is nevertheless, generally lacking in coherence and motive force. This coherence and motive force are more likely to be secured in a group that affirms positive faith in a God to whom they may look with confidence for support in their united efforts to promote the good. (~)N the other hand, some ^ churches and church leaders go to the opposite extreme by elaborating dogmas and insisting upon their acceptance by all church members, irrespective of either the rationality or the irrationality, the significance or the insignificance of these dogmas. Thus the great concepts of religion, the practical duties growing out of these con- cepts, and the inspiration to live to the full a truly religious life, become lost in controversies over questions in themselves of no prac- tical consequence, often resulting in driving from the church many in- telligent and well disposed people who would otherwise become very efficient workers in the church. That church is likely to succeed best which adheres to the very significant and motivating funda- mentals of religious faith, a faith that extends to the unseen and the yet unrealized world of values, faith in God and the moral order of the universe, faith in man and the possibility of his advancement toward perfection in the moral or- der. Such faith, joined with a system of practical living growing out of and constantly adjusting itself to tested knowledge, will give to any church a basis for intelli- gent, effective cooperation of its members within the church and with social organizations outside the church that are working for human betterment. Such an or- ganization need not dissipate its energies and its membership in trying to settle dogmatically the age of the earth, the exact manner of creation, or other questions within the realms of natural sci- ence investigations, and the answer to which, in any case, is inconse- quential in so far as faith in God and in human destiny are con- cerned, and with no bearing what- ever upon practical, everyday, re- ligious duties. One of the most impressive lessons of ecclesiastical history is that it is well for the church to leave to natural science the things that pertain to natural science, except to utilize results of scientific discoveries that may have practical value for religion; but, as to various conflicting scientific theories, let the scientists fight their own battles. How, Then, is the Church Related to other Social Institutions? TT is properly a most helpful * ally to all, but without infring- ing upon the proper duties and responsibilities of any. Most in- timately is it connected with the family in a spiritual alliance that contributes much to the sanctity of all family relations. In the first place, under authority of the state, it is properly the business of the church to perform the mar- riage ceremony. No other cere- mony in the natural life of in- dividuals is comparable with this in social significance. It concerns most profoundly the future of hu- manity, as well as the future of the parties to the contract. The church is best fitted of all social institutions to make these facts impressive, and thus to lead per- sons entering upon marriage to sense their great social and indi- 40 The Improvement Era for November, 1930 vidual responsibilities as well as to anticipate the opportunities and the joys of family life. This, however, is only the be- ginning of the relation of the church to the family. With the birth of each child and the cere- monial periods connected with his development there is again oppor- tunity for the church to sanctify these occasions and to inspire mem- bers of the family, in ways that are most helpful, toward living on a high religious plane. The influence of the church is, how- ever, by no means confined to these ceremonial occasions. It is a con- stant influence in religious educa- tion that may contribute much toward the success of family life, both in its internal and in its ex- ternal relations. In the event of death in the family the church, again, is there to comfort and to stimulate renewed faith and cour- age on the part of the living. The relation of the church to the state is not so easy to describe nor so free from troublesome com- plications. The difficulties in this case are generally the outgrowth of the quest for power, so often manifested by individuals and in- stitutions. Historically viewed it is an indisputable fact that the church has both dominated and been dominated by the state. Strug- gle for domination and efforts to escape such domination have led to many unpleasant relations be- tween church and state. In Amer- ica, fortunately, there is now very general recognition of the func- tions and the limitations of both church and state; and, as a conse- quence, peace between them. that the religious education of the church, carried on with both its mature and its immature members, is a stabilizing force in the com- munity, that tit tends to create respect for law and lawful au- thority, and, therefore, to diminish crime. From this standpoint alone the church should be of greater economic benefit to the state than A ■ S chairman of the Social Wel- fare League for ten years the author has had practical experience in at- tempting to unite all the religious and civic betterment forces of the community in bringing about better law observance and more favorable community conditions for the moral development of youth. "CROM the standpoint of the needs of society as a whole, mere peace between these two ma- jor social institutions is by no means adequate to meet social needs. The state does, or ought to, provide conditions of peace and security to the church in the performance of its proper func- tions. The educational and char- itable activities of the state tend to lend strength to the church, and to free its resources for other ac- tivities more closely related to the aims of the church. In recogni- tion of the service of the church to the state the latter does com- monly exempt from taxation church property used exclusively for religious purposes. What, then, is the nature of these services? It is, evidently, taken !for granted it is an economic loss through failure to pay taxes. This at once suggests a major form of coopera- tion between church and state. So long as the church is not seek- ing political power or otherwise interfering with state functions, its support in encouraging citizens to seek the good, to uphold the right, and to respect the constitu- tion and the laws of state and nation, should be highly appre- ciated by the state. But what may this mean in case civil officers are themselves seriously delinquent in any of these respects? Is the social obligation of the church to the state fulfilled merely by prayers for these delinquents, or should the church do all in its power law- fully to bring about the reforms prayed for, as any earnest worship- er should do? May it not be well to revive the ancient Hebrew custom of placing upon the proph- et the responsibility of rebuking the king who lapses into abomin- able practices? In American poli- tics this function is commonly left to the political party not in pow- er; but the habit of political parties generally is to discredit opponents whenever possible and often un- justly. Adverse criticism from this source, even when deserved, does not, therefore, carry great weight, especially with members of the political party whose repre- sentative is thus criticized. Would it not, therefore, be a positive service to the state, and should it not be so recognized by citizens generally, if leaders in the churches, without political party interest and without quest for power, would fearlessly and publicly call atten- tion to prevalent iniquities in the state, including the delinquencies of public officials? While the par- ticular officers thus criticized and their partisans might offer strenu- ous objection, and set up the cry of church interference in politics, the mass of citizens should be able to recognize this false alarm, and should demand public investiga- tion of the facts and appropriate public action to remedy evils. Would not such cooperation of church and state become a positive force for moral progress? The church may be actively in- terested in the work of all other social institutions, always ready to cooperate with any public agency that is working for the welfare of the community. Thus, the church may lend its support to the public educational and charitable activi- ties of the community, not, of course, to dominate, or otherwise to interfere with these public agen- cies, but rather to assist the state in realizing its educational and welfare objectives. The church may likewise cooperate with pri- vate non -ecclesiastical agencies in promoting like objectives; and, of course, churches should cooperate among themselves in furthering their common moral and social interests. How May the Church Help Its Individual Members? TJ[7HILE the functions of the vv church are distinctively spir- itual they are not primarily other- worldly. Thoughtful people gen- erally now believe that the highest good in this life will be the best preparation for the future life. Religion is, therefore, now largely concerned with realizing in the highest degree the good life here and now. Nor does religion ig- nore the importance of the phys- ical conditions of life, and the duty of the church to give neces- sary assistance to individuals in making the most of their physical and economic resources. The church will, therefore, cooperate with the state in seeing that in- dividuals, and especially children and other dependents are provided with suitable food, clothing, and shelter, with needed medical and dental care, and with whatever other things may be necessary as a basis of successful living. This same end will be furthered by the moral teachings of the church, which will include temperance — self con- trol and self-direction in agree- The Improvement Era for November, 1930 41 ment with ideals of highest phys- ical and mental efficiency, chastity, industry, manifested in socially valuable purposeful activity, good will, faith in humanity, ability to cooperate with others and the habit of so doing in the furtherance of good causes. The church may not only teach these virtues, it may also provide opportunities for training in the corresponding qual- ities of character. In any case it will realize that religion enters in- to every human activity and that nothing the individual may do is without interest to the church. The kind of life its members lead every day is a matter of much greater concern to the church than is their presence or their absence from public worship, a chief func- tion of which is to stimulate them to a high plane of daily living. If it does not do this it is not religion but only a sham. '"THE love of fellow-men is like- wise shallow, or mere pre- tense, unless it is manifest in doing something for the good of man- kind. It is one of the duties of the church toward its members to offer suggestions and, if need be, to provide ways for such service. The economic situation, even in America, is such that individuals are often without employment and without means of support. The church itself may not be able to supply either for any length of time. It may, however, so im- press its members who have capital to use this capital primarily for the public good in producing in greater abundance the necessities of life and at the same time providing employment to those who need it; this instead of lavishing their capital upon themselves in the pur- suit of pleasure, in the erection of mansions to satisfy personal pride, or in an attempt to buy their way into political power to satisfy per- sonal ambition. The church is indeed concerned with the poor and their needs; it has, however, an even greater problem with the rich who need conversion to their responsibility to God and to their fellow-men for the use that is made of their possessions. Men who have exceptional ability as creators and directors of industry and bus- iness should be led by the church, if not by other agency, to realize that they owe to their fellow- men the use of their abilities and their material resources in further- ance of the common good. This obligation applies to the person with ability in finance no less than to those whose abilities lie in other fields. 'T'HE church should be the great- ■*• est social agency for promot- in equalization of opportunity, not only among its own mem- bers, but among mankind general- ly. It may not always be ec- *> -^