Discussion Group in Religion

On interest in and need for religion. Notion that it is a form of defeatism, escape from reality, etc. Especially on the attitude of youth toward religion. Youth often mystical, sentimental, romantic, full of uncritical enthusiasm, yet, especially in the modern age, tending to be “irreligious.” Their enthusiasm and buoyant optimism tends to center in themselves rather than in outer “powers” of any sort. It is common (and perhaps healthy?) for youth to believe that “the world is my oyster,” and I will find the way to open it. Tendency toward a different view with advancing years, as one finds out how feeble ones powers really are, and how resistant the material with [which] one has to work in realizing ones big ideas and ideals. Story of President Harper, who said his fortieth birthday was the most melancholy day of his life, the day when he first finally admitted to himself that his life was a failure, that all he would ever get done was quite trivial and irrelevant in comparison with his hopes and plans.