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Search for the Sacred Sir / What the author of "Searching Again for the Sacred" [April 9] failed to discern, even though he does a commendable job of reviewing the spiritual reawakening of this decade, is that transcendence is another illusion—another idea that robs man of his true humanity and sends him scampering off to a never-never land of mysticism and onion peeling. What we need and what we really seek is command over our own lives, responsible freedom and an opportunity to learn what it means to be alive!
(THE REV.) R.G. HARLOFF Dallas
Sir / It would appear from "Second Thoughts About Man" that modern rationalists are trembling on the brink of the stupendous discovery that "man has an irreducible core of evil"—which seems to be intellectualese for the old-fashioned concept that he is a sinner. Is it possible that after wandering for years in the wilderness with Marx, Freud and Darwin, they are about to return to the Father's house?
HAROLD W. DART
Pleasant Hill, Calif,
Sir / The impression I get from reading your section on the revolt against rationalism is that you think there is a better alternative. You also seem to hint that this better alternative might lie in the direction of religion. I must vehemently disagree. I believe with an intensity that could be labeled "fanatic" that religions are, have always been, and will always be intrinsically evil.
Religions are, have always been and undoubtedly will always be based upon human terror, cowardice, animal pride and abysmal ignorance.
Every attempt at reform throughout history has been opposed by organized religion. When is the human race going to grow up and renounce its witch doctors, both modern and primitive?
HENRY L. GIRARD
Cranston, R.I.
Sir / TIME described the modern spiritual dilemma very well: the church increasingly secularized by the call to social action, while the young people are being driven to various Eastern religions by hunger for spiritual experience.
In Sufism, Islam has preserved the way of knowing God in life. Attracted by the Persian example of linking spiritual and material progress, many Americans like myself have become dervishes and have discovered the miracle described by the 11th century Persian Sufi, Abu Sa'id, who said: "It is no miracle to walk on water or the air, for frogs and birds do that; the miracle is to go about your business and never for a moment forget God."
CHARLES I. CAMPBELL
New York City
Sir / You did not give any attention to the oldest "pathway to God," namely: "Eckan-kar Ancient Science of Soul Travel."
(MRS.) NADINE S. THOMPSON
North Vancouver, B.C.
Sir / The Baha'i faith was destined by God to unite the world into one cohesive society, and mankind into one family.
MARILU NASHEL
Burke, S. Dak.
Sir / You did not mention the Ananda Marga Yoga Society, which teaches just the balance of spiritual and worldly life called for in the article.
BRUCE W. RAVENEL
Boulder, Colo.
A Betrayal?