Now all this leads very directly to a discussion of the relations of a person of my way of thinking to the Church and religious institutions generally. I have already discussed my relation to commonly accepted beliefs, but the question of institutions is, it seems to me, a different one altogether. Not to realize that, to confuse a church with its creed¹, is to prepare the ground for a mass of disastrous² and life-wasting errors.

Now my rules of conduct are based on the supposition that moral decisions are to be determined³ by the belief that the individual life guided by its perception of beauty is incidental, experimental, and contributory to the undying life of the blood and race. I have decided⁴ for myself that the general business of life is the development of a collective consciousness and will and purpose out of a chaos⁵ of individual consciousnesses and wills and purposes, and that the way to that is through the development of the Socialist⁶ State, through the socialization of existing State organizations and their merger⁷ of pacific association in a World State. But so far I have not taken up the collateral⁸ aspect of the synthesis of human consciousness, the development of collective feeling and willing and expression in the form, among others, of religious institutions.

Religious institutions are things to be legitimately⁹ distinguished¹⁰ from the creeds¹¹ and cosmogonies with which one finds them associated. Customs are far more enduring things than ideas,— witness the mistletoe at Christmas, or the old lady turning her money in her pocket at the sight of the new moon. And the exact origin of a religious institution is of much less significance to us than its present effect. The theory of a religion may propose the

点击收听单词发音  

1 creed
n.信条；信念，纲领
参考例句：
They offended against every article of his creed.他们触犯了他的每一条戒律。 Our creed has always been that business is business.我们的信条一直是公私分明。

2 disastrous
adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的
参考例句：
The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。 Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。

3 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

4 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 chaos
n.混乱，无秩序
参考例句：
After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。 The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

6 socialist
n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的
参考例句：
China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。 His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

7 merger
n.企业合并，并吞
参考例句：
Acceptance of the offer is the first step to a merger.对这项提议的赞同是合并的第一步。 Shareholders will be voting on the merger of the companies.股东们将投票表决公司合并问题。

8 collateral
adj.平行的；旁系的；n.担保品
参考例句：
Many people use personal assets as collateral for small business loans.很多人把个人财产用作小额商业贷款的抵押品。 Most people here cannot borrow from banks because they lack collateral.由于拿不出东西作为抵押，这里大部分人无法从银行贷款。

9 legitimately
ad.合法地；正当地，合理地
参考例句：
The radio is legitimately owned by the company. 该电台为这家公司所合法拥有。 She looked for nothing save what might come legitimately and without the appearance of special favour. 她要的并不是男人们的额外恩赐，而是合法正当地得到的工作。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

10 distinguished
adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的
参考例句：
Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。 A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

11 creeds
（尤指宗教）信条，教条( creed的名词复数 )
参考例句：
people of all races, colours and creeds 各种种族、肤色和宗教信仰的人 Catholics are agnostic to the Protestant creeds. 天主教徒对于新教教义来说，是不可知论者。

12 attainment
n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣
参考例句：
We congratulated her upon her attainment to so great an age.我们祝贺她高寿。 The attainment of the success is not easy.成功的取得并不容易。

13 deity
n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物)
参考例句：
Many animals were seen as the manifestation of a deity.许多动物被看作神的化身。 The deity was hidden in the deepest recesses of the temple.神藏在庙宇壁龛的最深处。

14 synthetic
adj.合成的，人工的；综合的；n.人工制品
参考例句：
We felt the salesman's synthetic friendliness.我们感觉到那位销售员的虚情假意。 It's a synthetic diamond.这是人造钻石。

15 constructive
adj.建设的，建设性的
参考例句：
We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。 He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

16 rectification
n. 改正, 改订, 矫正
参考例句：
The process of producing a shift of the average value is called rectification. 产生平均值移动的过程叫做整流。 This effect, in analogy to its radiofrequency counterpart, is known as optical rectification. 同它的射频对应物相仿，这种现象称为光学整流。

17 justified
a.正当的，有理的
参考例句：
She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。 The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

18 Christian
adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒
参考例句：
They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。 His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

19 plausibly
似真地
参考例句：
The case was presented very plausibly. 案情的申述似很可信。 He argued very plausibly for its acceptance. 他为使之认可辩解得头头是道。

20 Christians
n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。 His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

21 bishop
n.主教，（国际象棋）象
参考例句：
He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。 Two years after his death the bishop was canonised.主教逝世两年后被正式封为圣者。

22 plausible
adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的
参考例句：
His story sounded plausible.他说的那番话似乎是真实的。 Her story sounded perfectly plausible.她的说辞听起来言之有理。

23 cult
n.异教，邪教；时尚，狂热的崇拜
参考例句：
Her books aren't bestsellers,but they have a certain cult following.她的书算不上畅销书，但有一定的崇拜者。 The cult of sun worship is probably the most primitive one.太阳崇拜仪式或许是最为原始的一种。

24 albeit
conj.即使；纵使；虽然
参考例句：
Albeit fictional,she seemed to have resolved the problem.虽然是虚构的，但是在她看来好象是解决了问题。 Albeit he has failed twice,he is not discouraged.虽然失败了两次，但他并没有气馁。

25 innovating
v.改革，创新( innovate的现在分词 )；引入（新事物、思想或方法），
参考例句：
In this new century, the company keeps innovating and developing new products. 新世纪伊始，公司全面实施形象工程及整合营销，不断改革创新，开发高新产品。 来自互联网 Beijing is backward most prime cause is innovating at system lack. 北京落后的最根本原因在于制度缺乏创新。 来自互联网

26 professing
声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉
参考例句：
But( which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 只要有善行。这才与自称是敬神的女人相宜。 Professing Christianity, he had little compassion in his make-up. 他号称信奉基督教，却没有什么慈悲心肠。

27 formulate
v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述
参考例句：
He took care to formulate his reply very clearly.他字斟句酌，清楚地做了回答。 I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.他陈述观点的方式让我印象深刻。

28 tangle
n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱
参考例句：
I shouldn't tangle with Peter.He is bigger than me.我不应该与彼特吵架。他的块头比我大。 If I were you, I wouldn't tangle with them.我要是你，我就不跟他们争吵。

29 mere
adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过
参考例句：
That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。 It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。

30 riddle
n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜
参考例句：
The riddle couldn't be solved by the child.这个谜语孩子猜不出来。 Her disappearance is a complete riddle.她的失踪完全是一个谜。

31 authentic
a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的
参考例句：
This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。 Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

32 authoritative
adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的
参考例句：
David speaks in an authoritative tone.大卫以命令的口吻说话。 Her smile was warm but authoritative.她的笑容很和蔼，同时又透着威严。

33 ERECTED
adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立
参考例句：
A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。 A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。

34 controversies
争论
参考例句：
We offer no comment on these controversies here. 对于这些争议，我们在这里不作任何评论。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史 The controversies surrounding population growth are unlikely to subside soon. 围绕着人口增长问题的争论看来不会很快平息。 来自辞典例句

35 poetical
adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的
参考例句：
This is a poetical picture of the landscape. 这是一幅富有诗意的风景画。 来自《简明英汉词典》 John is making a periphrastic study in a worn-out poetical fashion. 约翰正在对陈腐的诗风做迂回冗长的研究。 来自辞典例句

36 discrepant
差异的
参考例句：
A HANDING FEE OF USD80. 00 TO BE DEDUCTED FOR ALL DISCREPANT. 有不符点的单据将收取80美元的费用。 As the process, modern standard ought to be discrepant, grading. 作为过程，现代化的标准应当是有差异的、分阶段的。

37 brotherhood
n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊
参考例句：
They broke up the brotherhood.他们断绝了兄弟关系。 They live and work together in complete equality and brotherhood.他们完全平等和兄弟般地在一起生活和工作。

38 salvation
n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困
参考例句：
Salvation lay in political reform.解救办法在于政治改革。 Christians hope and pray for salvation.基督教徒希望并祈祷灵魂得救。

39 dispersed
adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的
参考例句：
The clouds dispersed themselves. 云散了。 After school the children dispersed to their homes. 放学后，孩子们四散回家了。

40 illuminated
adj.被照明的；受启迪的
参考例句：
Floodlights illuminated the stadium. 泛光灯照亮了体育场。 the illuminated city at night 夜幕中万家灯火的城市

41 medley
n.混合
参考例句：
Today's sports meeting doesn't seem to include medley relay swimming.现在的运动会好象还没有混合接力泳这个比赛项目。 China won the Men's 200 metres Individual Medley.中国赢得了男子200米个人混合泳比赛。

42 worthy
adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的
参考例句：
I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。 There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

43 conceals
v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
He conceals his worries behind a mask of nonchalance. 他装作若无其事，借以掩饰内心的不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals. 酒醉吐真言。 来自《简明英汉词典》

44 impoverished
adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化
参考例句：
the impoverished areas of the city 这个城市的贫民区 They were impoverished by a prolonged spell of unemployment. 他们因长期失业而一贫如洗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

45 reconstruction
n.重建，再现，复原
参考例句：
The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。 In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

46 fissures
n.狭长裂缝或裂隙( fissure的名词复数 )；裂伤；分歧；分裂v.裂开( fissure的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
Rising molten rock flows out on the ocean floor and caps the fissures, trapping the water. 上升熔岩流到海底并堵住了裂隙，结果把海水封在里面。 来自辞典例句 The French have held two colloquia and an international symposium on rock fissures. 法国已经开了两次岩石裂缝方面的报告会和一个国际会议。 来自辞典例句

47 predecessors
n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身
参考例句：
The new government set about dismantling their predecessors' legislation. 新政府正着手废除其前任所制定的法律。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Will new plan be any more acceptable than its predecessors? 新计划比原先的计划更能令人满意吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

48 dissenting
adj.不同意的
参考例句：
He can't tolerate dissenting views. 他不能容纳不同意见。 A dissenting opinion came from the aunt . 姑妈却提出不赞同的意见。

49 scattered
adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的
参考例句：
Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来，塞进文件夹里。

50 solitarily
adv.独自一人地，寂寞地
参考例句：
I paced and down on the crossroad, seeing my shadow walking solitarily! 我徘徊在十字街口，看着影子孤独的行走！ 来自互联网 A hermit chooses to live solitarily. 隐士选择独自一人生活。 来自互联网

51 strictly
adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地
参考例句：
His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。 The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。