The Philosophy of History, Vol. 2 of 2Schlegel, Friedrich von
Philosophy
The Philosophy of History, Vol. 2 of 2
Schlegel, Friedrich von
History; History -- Philosophy
pure, but in reality shallow, and meaningless, Theism, which the
pretended Arabian Reformer has announced to the world, would be little
consonant with probability, and little conformable to the nature and
march of the human mind. Considered in its true internal spirit, and
divested of its outward garb of oriental customs and symbolical
language, the religion of Mahomet on a closer investigation will be
found rather to bear a stronger affinity to the inane and superficial
philosophy of the eighteenth century; and if that philosophy were
honest and consistent, it would not hesitate loudly to proclaim and
openly to revere Mahomet, if not as a prophet, still as a real
Reformer of mankind, the first promulgator and mighty teacher of
truth, and the founder of the pure religion of reason.
Such a dead empty Theism, such a mere negative Unitarian faith, is
little adapted for the true purposes of a religion, though it may form
the basis of some scholastic system of Rationalist Theology. Regarded
as a religious system, the creed of Mahomet is neither old nor new;
but is in part perfectly void and meaningless, and in part composed of
very mixed materials. The part in it which is new, is that fanatic
spirit of conquest it has inculcated and diffused through the world;
and that part in it which is old, is copied from the Hebrew traditions
and the Christian revelation, or contains allusions to the one or to
the other, including some old Arabian customs and usages which this
religion has still retained.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account