o be competent, to be
useful.

This is as I see it. I wouldn't do what I do, think what I think or act
as I act unless I were sincere.

Below all this is charity, which means you have the unquestioned right
to do and to be what your best thought and conscience tells you to do
and to be.

Nevertheless it is well to reason with one another on the subject of the
now and the tomorrow of our existence for it is a universal subject on
which all men must make a decision.

SINCERITY

Do Not Accept Sincerity as Proof of Truth

"I believe in him because he is so sincere."

You've heard that, haven't you? I never could understand why a sensible
person would use such logic.

Sincerity is no evidence of truth. The Hindu mother is sincere who
throws her babe to the crocodiles, but her sincerity is no proof that by
this sacrifice she is sure of her salvation.

The Christian Scientist is sincere in the belief that medicines do not
cure diseases. The doctor is equally sincere that medicines will cure
disease.

The Theosophist is sincere, the Atheist, the Agnostic, the Christian,
the Pagan, the Mohammedan, the Buddhist, the Sun-worshipper, the
Republican, the Democrat, the Progressive, the Prohibitionist, the
Brewer, all these are sincere in their beliefs. And as these beliefs are
different, it is common sense to say that no one creed, sect, belief,
branch, dogma or system, is all truth.

It is true every channel or avenue we meet in life's travel has some
truth, but it is not for you or me to assume that we are the sole
possessors of wisdom and the real discoverers of all truth.

We must not take the conclusions we arrive at and expect to force the
world to accept without protest our rules for conduct, our methods for
living, our practices for morals, or our beliefs, for their guide.

Converts to new doctrines, new issues, new cults and to the old ones,
too, are made largely because the ambassadors or proselyters seem so
fervid and sincere in expounding what they claim is the definite truth.

The believers in a cult or code of ethics are auto hypnotized, their
visions are narrowed.

By focusing their thought on their special belief they bring together
sophistry, arguments, examples and so-called proof that gives them
facility in arguing the case or expounding their doctrine.

You can make no gain to try to argue with a Christian Scientist. You ask
for concrete rules, definite answers and other proofs than th