“The ‘end of knowledge’ is to know God — not only to believe; to become one with God — not just to worship afar off.

“Man must know the reality of the Divine Existence, and then know — not only vaguely believe and hope — that his own innermost Self is one with God, and that the aim of life is to realize that unity. Unless religion can guide a man to that realization, it is but ‘as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.'” – Annie Besant

(Annie Besant, Esoteric Christianity. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1953; c1901, 21-2.)