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I have no Genius to disputes in Religion; and have often thought it wisdom to decline them, especially upon a disadvantage, or when the cause of Truth might suffer in the weakness of my patronage. . . . Every man is not a proper Champion for Truth, nor fit to take up the Gauntlet in the cause of Verity (Part 1, Sec. 6). All the rules for good conversation and discussion hold for the topic of religion, plus a few more. One must be doubly sure that one knows what one is talking about, or else play the role of listener and questioner, reserving one's judgment. More than ever, one must be able to be good-natured in the discussion. No matter how much it means to a person, he must not argue angrily or harshly. This point needs particular emphasis, because in discussing religion one is dealing with a topic on which one may not compromise. One may not for the sake of good-fellowship agree to anything which in conscience one believes to be wrong. |
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