I  often  wonder  if  it  would  not  be  better  if  all  the  men
were  R.  C.'s.  For  men  who  don't  think  and  have  no
initiative,  what  can  you  have  but  a  dogmatic,  authoritative,
externally  imposed  religion  ?  And  even  the  men  who  do
think  are  often  quite  prepared  to  submit  to  authority  and
accept  unquestioningly  the  dogmas  for  the  sake  of  the
unity  and  strength  that  are  gained.  I  am  always  absorbed
in  insoluble  problems,  the  R.  C.'s  have  none.  Everything
of  immediate  importance  is  settled.  I  believe  that  is
what  makes  most  R.  C.  padres  so  unfailingly  cheerful,
often  boisterous.  And  yet  how  on  earth  is  the  world
going  to  progress  unless  men  are  taught  they  must  think  ?
Somehow  one  feels  one  would  rather  remain  absolutely
isolated  and  solitary  than  submit  to  a  purely  dogmatic
religion — than  feel  one  no  longer  leads  what  must  often
be  the  solitary,  lonely  responsibility  of  facing  and  attempt-
ing to  solve  insoluble  problems.  For  the  sake  of  peace  we
might  all  submit  to  German  Kultur  domination.  But
what  then  about  liberty  ?  When  all  is  said  and  done,  the
good  a  man  can  hope  to  do  in  the  world  must  be  done
through  his  own  personality  and  his  relationship  with
individuals.
Paris.
June  11,  1917. — I  have  just  arrived  here  for  seventy-
two  hours'  leave  with  L.  He  is  a  charming  fellow  and
makes  a  good  companion.  He  does  not  have  any  desire
to  be  a  man  of  the  world,  I  am  glad  to  say.  We  are  in
one  of  the  most  sumptuous  and  luxurious  of  Paris  hotels.
It  is  rather  amusing  being  in  Paris,  but  I  expect  three
days  will  be  quite  enough.
199


200     LETTERS  OF  OSWIN   CREIGHTON,   C.F.
3rd  D.A.C.
