"There is a great interest in comparative religion and a desire to understand faiths other than our own and even to experiment with exotic cults"

This quote by Emily Greene Balch talks to the growing interest and openness of people to explore and understand different religions and cultures. It recommends that people are no longer content to merely accept the faith they were born into, but rather are eager to learn more about and even explore various beliefs and practices. This could be viewed as a sign of development, as it shows that individuals are becoming more tolerant and accepting of different cultures and religious beliefs. It likewise suggests that individuals are becoming more unbiased and going to explore different methods of believing and living. This might be a positive advancement, as it might cause greater understanding and gratitude of different cultures and religions.