RELIGION AND SOCIETY

Religion and Society ~ 428 ~ recrimination. In a Western Circuit Court in England, there is a stone which commemorates a unique event which took place there many years before. A certain witness took the oath in the normal way, then added: “May God take my soul here and now if what I say be false.” And he fell down dead on that very spot.12 Other events of this nature have also occurred, providing poignant reminders of the much direr punishment that awaits people in the next world. If people in their heart of hearts dread such retribution, they will take very good care to do nothing which will bring it down upon their own heads. A common consciousness of what is wrong must emerge in society, something which does not and cannot stem from legislation alone. This can only come from religion, which gives us not only a law, but a faith to go with it. Through this faith, we become aware that it is One who is omniscient who has made the Law. Knowing everything that we do, He has a record of all our thoughts, words and deeds. After death we shall be brought before Him, at which time all will be laid bare. We may use worldly resources to escape worldly punishment