"That religious earnestness forever tends toward fright and hence towards brittleness and inquisition is clear enough in mythology and history"

In the quote "That religious earnestness forever tends toward fright and hence towards brittleness and inquisition is clear enough in mythology and history", Thomas Howard is delving into the complex interplay in between religious eagerness and worry, with significant implications for social characteristics throughout history. His declaration recommends that when religious beliefs are charged with extreme earnestness, they often result in a state of worry. This worry can manifest in various forms, such as worry of the unknown, worry of dissent, or fear of magnificent retribution.

The "brittleness" pointed out refers to the fragility that such fear induces in religious and communal structures. When belief systems end up being rigid and intolerant of differing point of views, they are vulnerable to splitting under pressure. This brittleness can cause social and spiritual schisms, as the absence of flexibility makes it difficult for a community to adapt to new ideas or fix up varying beliefs. The term "inquisition" further highlights this point, referring historically to periods when spiritual institutions, in an effort to preserve orthodoxy and control, turned to overbearing procedures such as trials and punishments to root out heresy and dissent.

Folklore and history are rich with examples of this process. For instance, in lots of ancient cultures, myths frequently derived from attempts to describe and control afraid aspects of existence, like natural catastrophes or death. In history, the Spanish Inquisition stands as a stark example of how spiritual intensity combined with fear can result in extreme societal effects, including persecution and death.

Howard's quote urges a reflection on the cyclical nature of spiritual earnestness leading to fear and inflexibility. It invites readers to recognize this pattern so that contemporary spiritual practices might prevent duplicating the very same pitfalls, fostering instead environments where faith and questions coexist and where earnest dedication does not devolve into fear-driven rigidity.