Full Idea
Nothing is more indispensable for true religious feeling than an intermediary - which connects us to the godhead. The human being is absolutely incapable of sustaining an immediate relation with this.
Gist of Idea
Religion needs an intermediary, because none of us can connect directly to a godhead
Source
Novalis (Miscellaneous Observations [1798], 073)
Book Reference
Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.35
A Reaction
I take this to be a defence of priests and organised religion, and an implied attack on protestants who give centrality to private prayer and conscience.
Related Idea
Idea 9257 The complexities of life make it almost impossible to assess morality from a universal viewpoint [Prichard]