Prominent early-20th-century liberal humanists, such as John Dewey, rejected traditional credal religion but freely used religious language like “God” and “the divine” in nonstandard ways.

On his lips, credal definitions are perpetually passing over from the arid region of theological argument to the fruitful one of spiritual experience.

To distrust and disregard their credal faith or stifle their humanity, one or the other, was the hard alternative presented to strong, good men.