ABSTRACT
Mature religion is characterized by certain elements which distinguish it radically from primitive religion. However, because there is usually a pre-history, elements of mature religion are frequently foreshadowed in the 'prophets' of primitive religion. The mental life of a person who has embraced the core values of mature religion is a world apart from someone dominated by the mentality of primitive religion. The founders of mature religion held in common one element: they taught that it is useless to attempt to deal with the evil intentions of the heart by offering sacrifices or by partaking in ritual ceremonies. The boundary between primitive and mature religion is not always clear-cut if it is remembered that primitive mentality continues to exist in mature religions just as primitive religions approximate towards mature religions. In mature religion a person finds meaning in the direction or quality of his emotional activity towards himself and others.
