over-belief

The over-belief, the religious formula in which this instinctive passion is expressed, is comparatively unimportant The revivalist, wholly possessed by concrete and anthropomorphic ideas of God which are impossible to a man of different -- and, as we suppose, superior -- education, can yet, because of the burning reality with which he lives towards the God so strangely conceived, infect those with whom he comes in contact with the spiritual life.

The Life of the Spirit and the Life of To-day Evelyn Underhill 1908

She can refine upon the definition of this hypothesis, distinguishing between what is innocent over-belief and symbolism in the expression of it, and what is to be literally taken.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

That the God with whom, starting from the hither side of our own extra-marginal self, we come at its remoter margin into commerce should be the absolute world-ruler, is of course a very considerable over-belief.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

That would be unfair to other religions, and, from our present standpoint at least, would be an over-belief.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

So my objective and my subjective conscience both hold me to the over-belief which I express.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

But the over-belief on which I am ready to make my personal venture is that they exist.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

I shall add my own over-belief (which will be, I confess, of a somewhat pallid kind, as befits a critical philosopher), and you will, I hope, also add your over-beliefs, and we shall soon be in the varied world of concrete religious constructions once more.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

By being faithful in my poor measure to this over-belief, I seem to myself to keep more sane and true.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

If I now proceed to state my own hypothesis about the farther limits of this extension of our personality, I shall be offering my own over-belief -- though I know it will appear a sorry under-belief to some of you -- for which I can only bespeak the same indulgence which in a converse case I should accord to yours.

The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

That the God with whom, starting from the hither side of our own extra-marginal self, we come at its remoter margin into commerce should be the absolute world-ruler, is of course a very considerable over-belief.

Varieties of Religious Experience, a Study in Human Nature William James 1876