A review by borumi
The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James

4.0

I've always regarded religion (well, at least MY religion) as a very personal matter. I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds the real value (or the root of the real value) in the individual, subjective union. So many religious foundations and sects are being formed and divided, and they are becoming more ecclesiastical, dogmatic or systematized every day. However, they are forgetting the very basic essence of the individual union with the higher being and the world. They are also so intent on changing the world itself through their external group force and influence that they disregard the power of the simple prayer to change each individual from within. In a world becoming ever more interconnected and communicative, why do I get the feeling that they are becoming more sectarianized and disconnected? Maybe we should look back to the simpler and perhaps the more fundamental union of each individual with the bigger world and the higher being. Some of James' points are confusing and long-winded at times, but I feel that some of the messages ring true especially in a time like this, when the original purity of religion is increasingly becoming tainted with gross manipulations that further separates it from the original union and peace.