In this classic work of philosophy, James Martineau challenges traditional beliefs about the nature of religion and the role of reason in religious inquiry. He argues that true religion must be grounded in reason and evidence, and that blind faith and irrationality only lead to superstition and error. Using examples from a wide range of religious traditions, Martineau presents a compelling case for the importance of reason in religious belief. A must-read for anyone interested in the philosophy of religion. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.