202 THE PRINCIPLES OF SELF-MASTERY
latter seems so terrible that it takes hold of the mind and creates that
fear of fears-the fear of death.
In truth no one knows, and no one has ever known, what heaven or
hell is like, or if such places exist, and this very lack of definite knowl-
edge opens the door of the human mind to the charlatan to enter and
control that mind with his stock of various brands of trickery, deceit,
and fraud.
The truth is this-nothing less and nothing more-no person knows
nor has any person ever known where we come from at birth or where we go
at death. Anyone claiming otherwise is either deceiving themself or is a
conscious impostor who makes it a business to live without rendering
service of value, while preying upon the credulity of humanity.
Be it said in their behalf, however, the majority of those engaged
in selling tickets into heaven actually believe not only that they know
where heaven exists, but that their creeds and formulas will give safe
passage to all who embrace them.
This belief may be summed up in one word-credulity!
Religious leaders, generally, make the broad, sweeping claim that the
present civilization owes its existence to the work done by the churches.
I am willing to grant their claims to be correct if, at the same time, I
am permitted to add that even if this claim were true, the theologians
haven't a great deal to brag about.
But it is not-cannot be-true that civilization has grown out of
the efforts of the organized churches and creeds, if the term civilization
means the uncovering of the natural laws and the many inventions to
which the world is the present heir.
If the theologians wish to claim the part of civilization that has to
do with man's conduct toward his fellow man, then they are perfectly
welcome to it, as far as I am concerned. On the other hand, if they
presumed to gobble up the credit for all the scientific discovery of
mankind, I would protest vigorously.