Quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
A religion, that is, a true religion, must consist of ideas and facts both; not of ideas alone without facts, for then it would be mere Philosophy; -- nor of facts alone without ideas, of which those facts are symbols, or out of which they arise, or upon which they are grounded: for then it would be mere History.
Summary
In order for a religion to be considered genuine, it must encompass both ideas and factual evidence. Depending solely on ideas would make it philosophy, lacking tangible proof, while relying purely on historical facts would reduce it to mere history. A true religion necessitates the incorporation of both ideas and facts, where facts serve as symbols or origins for the ideas presented. This balance between concepts and tangible evidence is what distinguishes a religion from other fields of study or knowledge.