general, that is, extends
and is scattered throughout the world, existing thus with those who do
not know the Lord or possess the Word. They say that those men are not in
fault and are without means to overcome their ignorance. They believe
that it is contrary to God's love and mercy that any should be born for
hell who are equally human beings.

[2] Inasmuch as many Christians, if not all, have faith that the church
is common to many--it is in fact called a communion--there must be some
very widely shared things of the church that enter all religions and that
constitute this communion. These most widely shared factors are
acknowledgment of God and good of life, as will be seen in this order:

1. Acknowledgment of God effects a conjunction of God and man; denial of
God causes disjunction.
2. Each one acknowledges God and is conjoined with Him in accord with the
goodness of his life.
3. Goodness of life, or living rightly, is shunning evils because they
are contrary to religion, thus to God.
4. These are factors common to all religions, and by them anyone can be
saved.

326. To clarify and demonstrate these propositions one by one. First:
_Acknowledgment of God brings conjunction of God and man; denial of God
results in disjunction._ Some may think that those who do not acknowledge
God can be saved equally with those who do, if they lead a moral life.
They ask, "What does acknowledgment accomplish? Is it not merely a
thought? Can I not 'acknowledge God when I learn for certain that God
there is? I have heard of Him but not seen Him. Let me see Him and I will
believe." Such is the language of many who deny God when they have an
opportunity to argue with one who acknowledges God. But that an
acknowledgment of God conjoins and denial disjoins will be clarified by
some things made known to me in the spiritual world. In that world when
anyone thinks of another and desires to speak with him, the other is at
once present. The explanation is that there is no distance in the
spiritual world such as there is in the natural, but only an appearance
of distance.

[2] A second phenomenon: as thought from some acquaintance with another
causes his presence, love from affection for another causes conjunction
with him. So spirits move about, converse as friends, dwell together in
one house or in one community, meet often, and render one another
services. The opposite happens, also; one who does not love another and
still more one w