CALLS HARVARD STUDENTS MOST RELIGIOUS IN U. S.

Harvard as "the most religious student body in America" is the new category in which the University is placed if one may judge from one of the replies to a recent questionnaire sent out to 1500 graduate students. The writer, a student in the Business School, is particularly impressed with "the kindly spirit of Harvard men", and its "sane understanding of truth".

His replies to 11 of the questions follow:

Your State?

Probable occupation?

Banker or teacher or preacher or something. How should I know?

Dept. of Study here? (Econ.) (Bus.)

Why did you choose it?

Because I had in it an opportunity to work my way. (I am not preparing for anything. I am living now.)

Church?

Heathen member of M. E. Church.

What relation has religion to your choice and proposed conduct of this occupation?

To me religion, philosophy and metaphysics are one and inseparable. They all originate in God and in the God-consciousness. Ontology comes first with me. An occupation is of but secondary importance. Life is the Big occupation of every individual.

Frequency of your attendance at religious services?

Once a month ordinarily.

Your estimate of religion in America today?

America has the highest type of religion in the world today. America is also a very intolerant people. The highest type belongs only to about 1 percent. 50 percent are a bunch of slaves to creeds and fears and superstitions. The rest, the so-called "irreligious" are not so bad off however. I refrain from condemning them. A religious from condemning them. A religious bigot is worse than an American heathen.

Is there need for more religion? Discuss.

This depends upon how you define religion. If Religion means merely high-brow sermons, beautiful church music, well fed preachers dilating upon conventional subjects and attempting to teach economics to congregations, or attendance at church, we need no more. We have enough. If religion means the life of God in the soul of man (this is the real definition), then this is the crying need of America today. But the average preacher is helpless to satisfy it.

Your estimate of religion at Harvard?

You cannot judge religion by church attendance. I think the spirit of Harvard, its goal of search for truth, its ideals, its traditions, its motto are a religion. God is love. The kindly spirit of Harvard men is not usually seen in other colleges. Certainly not in provincial state universities. I think Harvard is the most religious student body in America. By religious I mean with the sanest understanding of Truth.

Religious needs at Harvard, particularly for graduate students?

Graduate students have various needs. A religious need is the easiest need to fill there is, because there is Infinite Supply for all who desire it without any cost except the cost of wanting it. Men who have religious doubts and religious problems are helped by hearing clear thinking men explain the methods of approach to their problems.

How about discussion groups in P. B. H. or dormitories? Subject? Leaders?

I get nothing out of discussion groups on religion. They usually get lost in a labyrinth of confusion about mere dogmas. I have no interest in dogmas. My only religion is my own experience "Faith is substance." Religion is substance." Religion is certainty. Heaven is now!

The Graduate Schools Society of the Phillips Brooks House Association received 171 replies. These answers represented men from 39 states and foreign countries and 96 different colleges. Twenty-five churches claim followers among the list, while 31 belong to no church. Eighty-two are regular attenders at church, 72 go occasionally or not at all.