,,! ,,*ri/ian ,,religion4  ,,an         
,,enquiry  ,by ,r4 ,g4 ,+]soll          
,,introduction4  ,,engl& is n[ = ! fir/ 
"t (f]+ to ! toil+ portion ( its p a    
fair modicum ( ! education :i* 0 9 old  
"t ! exclusive privilege ( ! ri*4 ,9 do+
 s x has act$ ) a ke5 eye to            
self-pres]vation1 = ! hi/ory ( e fall5  
nation %[s t ! unaid$ ignorance ( !     
masses has be5 a pr9cipal & fatal elem5t
 9 its d[nfall4  ,?is tru? w\ld seem to 
be n yet fully realiz$ by all ( high]   
education 9 ! c\ntry2 = ! tea*+ t _m (  
!m c\nsel = ! poor is clogg$ ) ignorance
 & cl\d$ ) error f :i* _! own high]     
culture has long be5 free4 ,x is        
di/ress+ to see m5 :o no long] reg>d !  
,bible z any?+ m ?an a curi\s & int]e/+ 
record1 a comp\nd ( reflections ( anci5t
 my?s & poetry1 comm+l$ ) a consid]able 
am\nt ( fabul\s hi/ory & absurd         
!ology--to see any su* man /ill argu+ t 
= ! poor & = ! "y x is a necess>y       
subject ( /udy1 & 7= !m7 a useful       
article ( belief6  ,d ^? :o argue ?us   

deem ! light ( reason too cle>1 too     
pure1 too delightful1 = mank9d at l>ge2 
or is x t !y tru/ t ! useful ignorance (
 ! work]s w cont9ue to supply !m )      
unm]it$ or unwor?y luxuries8  ,9 nei!r  
case c ! position endure4 ,! ref9em5t ( 
,rome might l(tily e*o       ,odi       
pr(anum vulgus et arceo3  b ,rome has   
h]self fall52 & n on ! portals ( future 
sci5ce or ( humanity %all any su* motto 
be writt54 ,fre$om ( ,k is ! coroll>y to
 ,fre$om ( ,?\ght3 9 ! society ( !      
future no hi]>*y or olig>*y ( intellect 
w close its doors ^u ! masses2 none w   
f9d delight 9 ei!r s5su\s or            
intellectual pleasure obta9$ at ! co/ ( 
! bas] condition ( o!rs4  ,! foll[+     
,repr9t w be f\nd a cle> exposition ( ! 
incongruities ( cre$ & record & dogma   
taught to ! poor z a sy/em ( e?ics = !  
:ole ( _! life2 & held z a conv5i5t ?+  
up to a c]ta9 age = ! "y1 & especially !
 female "y1 ( ! money$ classes4  ,x is  
"t t su* w>f>e z ?is %\ld be aggressive2
 t su* books z ! pres5t %\ld be "p ( !  

food ( our *ildr54 ,our true/ feel+s &  
our t5d]e/ ye>s h be5 enslav$ to bl9d   
fai?1 unreason+ cr$ulity & degrad+ fe>2 
our infant lips h be5 tra9$ to l9k 9    
lov+ acc5ts ! g5tle & holy names ( ,"m &
 ( ,fa!r ) t ( a ,god ( jeal\sy1 (      
v5geance1 & brutality2 our gr[+ m9d has 
be5 w>n$ to look to a ,hebrew ascetic z 
! noble/ type ( ! div9e1 & to a ,hebrew 
pr(ligate & murd]] z ! highe/ type ( !  
human4 ,z ! op5+ ?\ght ( y\? has /riv5  
to turn to ! light ( reason1 x has be5  
con/antly ?reat5$ back & ?ru/ back into 
! d>k ( sup]/ition4 ,x has be5 told t   
et]nal mis]y is ! doom ( ^? :o leave !  
pa?s ( dogma2 & x has be5 falsely &     
p]si/5tly taught t ,free-?9k]s are evil 
& unclean1 m5 )\t c>e = "r1 sc(f]s at e 
good ?+4  ,b x is n sc(f]s :o wage ?is  
w> ( ! rational aga9/ ! sup]natural3 let
 none deceive !mselves ) t va9 ?\ght1 or
 p]petuate ! incorrect ass]tion4 ,( su* 
books z ! pres5t1 su* writ+s z ! pres5t1
 "s at lea/ are ! words ( m5 & wom5 :o h
 be5 born to1 & /riv5 t[>d a godly life1

 ) int5se ef=t1 ) groan+s n to be utt]$3
 :o1 nurs$ 9 ! bosom ( ! ,*ur*1 &       
p>tak]s 9 all h] mo/ sacr$ ord9ances1   
cru%$ d[n z unholy ! fir/ & ! repeat$   
brea?+s ( d\bt & ( reason+ _! m9ds2 :o  
held to ! fals5ess ( _! e>ly            
tea*+s1--till !re came t f9al /ruggle1  
:5 !y wre/l$ ) ,god1--to hold him1--n to
 lose him2 gasp+ ) fev]$ lips & %ut tee?
 & scald+ eyelids1 ,i w n let !e g 3 &  
:o won a bless+ !y knew n ( 9 t !y prov$
 ! ,jehovah ( ,hebraism1 ! ,god (       
,*ri/ianity1 to be an ,apollyon (       
,sup]/ition3 :o ca/ him (f 9 disgu/1 9  
loa?+1 9 half despair2 :o lay fa9t &    
ble$+ ?r\gh a night ( d>kness3 b to :om1
 ) ! dawn1 has come ! free & brac+ air (
 reason1 & !n ! deep w>m gl[ ( true     
life1 & humanity1 & univ]sal love1--love
 giv5 ?is "t n to a feti%1 b to e fell[ 
be+1 to man & bea/1 to tree & moss1 to  
/one & />4  ,) a great price obta9$ we  
?is fre$om1 & we w t our ,sons & t our  
,daught]s be free born4 ,to su* a       
lib]ator z ,rob]t ,g4 ,+]soll ! ?anks ( 

pres5t p>5ts are lov+ly (f]$2 8 "n w be 
*]i%$ by our *ildr51 & 8 memory hall[$ 9
 ! gratitude ( g5]ations yet unborn4    
,b4 ,e4  ,rudy>d3  #i? ,mon?1 #ahha4    
,,b\quet ,,g>ni4       ,x is ! curse (  
,engl& t its intellect c see tru?s      
:i* its he>t w n embody4      --,laur5ce
 ,oliphant       ,! root ( all tyranny &
 oppression1 ( all social &      human  
ills1 is f\nd 9 )old+ f ! masses ( ea*  
community m5tal culture1 or k t may be  
conf]r$      on all4      --,rd4        
,c>lile4       ,a!ism leaves to man     
reason1 philosophy1 natural piety1      
laws1 reputation1 & e ?+ t c s]ve to    
conduct      him to virtue2 b sup]/ition
 de/roys all ^!1 &      erects itself   
into tyranny ov] ! und]/&+s ( m54       
--,bacon4       ,a heal?y poetic nature 
wants1 z y y\rself say1 no ,moral       
,law1 no ,rights ( ,man1 no ,political  
,metaphysics4 ,y might      h add$ z    
well1 x wants no ,deity1 no             
,immortality1 to      /ay & uphold      
itself )al4      --,lett] f ,s*ill] to  

,goe!4       ,nev] to bl5d our pleasure 
or our pride ,) sorr[ ( !      meane/ ?+
 t feels4      --,wordswor?4            
99 ,a ,b\quet ,g>ni is a little bundle (
 h]bs1 "s bitt]           "s sweet1 b   
all salut>y4     ,,! ,,*ri/ian          
,,religion     ,i4  ,a ,,pr(\nd *ange   
has tak5 place 9 ! _w ( ?\ght1 ,! pews  
are try+ to set !mselves some:at above !
 pulpit4 ,! layman discusses !ology ) ! 
m9i/]1 & smiles4 ,*ri/ians excuse       
!mselves = belong+ to ! ,*ur*1 by d5y+ a
 "p ( ! cre$4 ,! idea is abroad t !y :o 
"k ! mo/ ( nature believe ! lea/ ab\t   
!ology4 ,! sci5ces are reg>d$ z         
infidels1 & facts z sc(f]s4 ,?\s&s ( mo/
 excell5t p avoid *ur*es1 &1 ) few      
exceptions1 only ^? att5d pray]-meet+s  
:o wi% to be alone4 ,! pulpit is los+   
because ! p are gr[+4  ,( c\rse x is    
/ill claim$ t we are a ,*ri/ian p1      
indebt$ to some?+ call$ ,*ri/ianity =   
all ! progress we h made4 ,!re is /ill a
 va/ diff]5ce ( op9ion z to :at         
,*ri/ianity really is1 al?\gh _m w>r+   

sects h be5 discuss+ t "q1 ) fire &     
sword1 ?r\gh c5turies ( cre$ & crime4 ,e
 new sect has be5 d5\nc$ at its bir? z  
illegitimate1 z a some?+ born out (     
or?odox w$lock & t %\ld h be5 all[$ to  
p]i% on ! /eps :]e x 0 f\nd4 ,( !       
relative m]its ( ! v>i\s d5om9ations1 x 
is suffici5t to say t ea* claims to be  
"r ,among ! evangelical *ur*es !re is a 
sub/antial agreem5t ^u :at !y consid] ! 
fundam5tal tru?s ( ! ,gospel4 ,^!       
fundam5tal tru?s1 z ,i und]/& !m1 are3  
,t !re is a p]sonal ,god1 ! creator ( ! 
mat]ial univ]se2 t he made man ( ! du/1 
& woman f "p ( ! man2 t ! man & woman 7 
tempt$ by ! ,devil2 t !y 7 turn$ out ( !
 g>d5 ( ,ed52 t1 ab\t fifte5 hundr$ ye>s
 aft]w>d1 ,god's pati5ce hav+ be5       
exhau/$ by ! wick$ness ( mank9d1 he     
dr[n$ 8 *ildr5 ) ! exception ( eight    
p]sons2 t aft]w>d he select$ f _!       
desc5dants ,abraham1 & ?r\gh him !      
,jewi% p2 t he gave laws to ^! p1 & tri$
 to gov]n !m 9 all ?+s2 t he made kn[n 8
 w 9 _m ,ways2 t he wr\ght a va/ numb] (

 miracles2 t he inspir$ m5 to write !   
,bible2 t1 9 ! fulness ( "t1 x hav+ be5 
f\nd impossible to re=m man1 ?is ,god   
came ^u e>? z a *ild born ( ! ,virg9    
,m>y2 t he liv$ 9 ,pale/9e2 t he prea*$ 
= ab\t ?ree ye>s1 go+ f place to place1 
,occasionally rais+ ! dead1 cur+ ! bl9d 
& ! halt2 t he 0 crucifi$--= ! crime (  
blasphemy1 z ! ,jews suppos$1 b t1 z a  
matt] ( fact1 he 0 (f]$ z a sacrifice = 
! s9s ( all :o might h fai? 9 him2 t he 
0 rais$ f ! dead & asc5d$ into heav5 :]e
 he n[ is1 mak+ int]cession = 8 foll[]s2
 t he w =give ! s9s ( all :o believe on 
him1 & t ^? :o d n believe w be consign$
 to ! dungeons ( et]nal pa94 ,^!--x may 
be ) ! addition ( ! sacram5ts ( ,baptism
 & ! ,la/ ,supp]--con/itute :at is      
g5]ally kn[n z ! ,*ri/ian religion4  ,x 
is mo/ *e]fully admitt$ t a va/ numb] ( 
p n only believe ^! ?+s1 b hold !m 9    
exce$+ rev]5ce1 & imag9e !m to be ( !   
utmo/ importance to mank9d4 ,!y reg>d ! 
,bible z ! only light t ,god has giv5 = 
! guidance ( 8 *ildr52 t x is ! "o /> 9 

nature's sky--! f\ndation ( all         
morality1 ( all law1 ( all ord]1 & ( all
 individual & national progress4 ,!y    
reg>d x z ! only means we h = asc]ta9+ !
 w ( ,god1 ! orig9 ( man1 & ! de/9y ( ! 
s\l4  ,x is ne$less to enquire into !   
causes t h l$ s _m p1 to believe 9 !    
inspiration ( ! ,scriptures4 ,9 my      
op9ion1 !y 7 & are mi/ak51 & ! mi/ake   
has h9d]$1 9 c\ntless ways1 !           
civilization ( man4 ,! ,bible has be5 ! 
=tress & def5ce ( ne>ly e crime4 ,no    
civiliz$ c\ntry c\ld re-enact its laws1 
& 9 _m respects its moral code is       
abhorr5t to e good & t5d] man4 ,x is    
admitt$ t _m ( its precepts are pure1 t 
_m ( its laws are wise & j1 & t _m ( its
 /atem5ts are absolutely true4  ,)\t    
desir+ to hurt ! feel+s ( anybody1 ,i   
propose to give a few reasons = ?9k+ t a
 few passages1 at lea/1 9 ! ,old        
,te/am5t are ! product ( a b>b>\s p1 ,9 
all civiliz$ c\ntries x is n only       
admitt$1 b x is passionately ass]t$1 t  
slav]y is & always 0 a hide\s crime2 t a

 w> ( conque/ is simply murd]2 t        
polygamy is ! enslavem5t ( woman1 !     
degradation ( man1 & ! de/ruction (     
home2 t no?+ is m infam\s ?an ! slaught]
 ( decrepit m51 ( helpless wom51 & (    
prattl+ babes2 t captur$ maid5s %\ld n  
be giv5 to soldi]s2 t wives %\ld n be   
/on$ to dea? on acc\nt ( _! religi\s    
op9ions1 & t ! dea? p5alty ought n to be
 inflict$ = a violation ( ! ,sabba?4 ,we
 "k t !re 0 a "t1 9 ! hi/ory ( almo/ e  
nation1 :5 slav]y1 polygamy1 & w>s (    
ext]m9ation 7 reg>d$ z div9e            
in/itutions2 :5 wom5 7 look$ ^u z bea/s 
( burd51 & :51 among "s p1 x 0 consid]$ 
! duty ( ! husb& to murd] ! wife =      
diff]+ ) him on ! subject ( religion4   
,nations t ent]ta9 ^! views to-day are  
reg>d$ z savage1 &1 probably1 ) !       
exception ( ! ,s\? ,sea ,isl&]s1 !      
,feejees1 "s citiz5s ( ,delaw>e1 & a few
 tribes 9 ,c5tral ,africa1 no human be+s
 c be f\nd degrad$ en\gh to agree ^u ^! 
subjects ) ! ,jehovah ( ! anci5t ,jews4 
,! only evid5ce we h1 or c h1 t a nation

 has ceas$ to be savage is ! fact t x   
has ab&on$ ^! doctr9es4 ,to e "o1 except
 ! !ologian1 x is p]fectly easy to      
acc\nt = ! mi/akes1 atrocities1 & crimes
 ( ! pa/1 by say+ t civilization is a   
sl[ & pa9ful gr[?2 t ! moral p]ceptions 
are cultivat$ ?r\gh ages ( tyranny1 (   
want1 ( crime1 & ( h]oism2 t x requires 
c5turies = man to put out ! eyes ( self 
& hold 9 l(ty & 9 equal poise ! scales (
 ju/ice2 t consci5ce is born ( suff]+2 t
 m]cy is ! *ild ( ! imag9ation---( ! p[]
 to put oneself 9 ! suff]]'s place1 & t 
man advances only z he becomes acqua9t$ 
) 8 surr\nd+s1 ) ! mutual obligations ( 
life1 & le>ns to take advantage ( ! =ces
 ( nature4  ,b ! believ] 9 ! inspiration
 ( ! ,bible is compell$ to decl>e t !re 
0 a "t :5 slav]y 0 "r--:5 m5 c\ld buy1 &
 wom5 c\ld sell1 _! babes4 ,he is       
compell$ to insi/ t !re 0 a "t :5       
polygamy 0 ! highe/ =m ( virtue2 :5 w>s 
( ext]m9ation 7 wag$ ) ! sword ( m]cy2  
:5 religi\s tol]ation 0 a crime1 & :5   
dea? 0 ! j p5alty = hav+ express$ an    

hone/ ?\ght4 ,he mu/ ma9ta9 t ,jehovah  
is j z bad n[ z he 0 f\r ?\s& ye>s ago1 
or t he 0 j z good !n z he is n[1 b t   
human conditions h s *ang$ t slav]y1    
polygamy1 religi\s p]secutions1 & w>s ( 
conque/ are n[ p]fectly devili%4 ,once  
!y 7 "r--once !y 7 comm&$ by ,god       
himself2 n[1 !y are prohibit$4 ,!re has 
be5 su* a *ange 9 ! conditions ( man t1 
at ! pres5t "t1 ! ,devil is 9 fav\r (   
slav]y1 polygamy1 religi\s p]secution1 &
 w>s ( conque/4 ,t is to say1 ! ,devil  
ent]ta9s ! same op9ion to-day t ,jehovah
 held f\r ?\s& ye>s ago1 b 9 ! meantime 
,jehovah has rema9$ exactly !           
same--*angeless & incapable ( *ange4    
,we f9d t o!r nations beside ! ,jews _h 
simil> laws & ideas2 t !y believ$ 9 &   
practis$ slav]y & polygamy1 murd]$ wom5 
& *ildr51 & ext]m9at$ _! neighb\rs to ! 
ext5t ( _! p[]4 ,x is n claim$ t !y     
receiv$ a revelation4 ,x is admitt$ t !y
 _h no k ( ! true ,god4 ,& yet1 by a    
/range co9cid5ce1 !y practis$ ! same    
crimes1 ( _! own motion1 t ! ,jews did  

by ! comm& ( ,jehovah4 ,f ?is x w\ld    
seem t man c d wrong )\t a special      
revelation4 ,x w h>dly be claim$1 at ?is
 day1 t ! passages 9 ! ,bible uphold+   
slav]y1 polygamy1 w>1 & religi\s        
p]secution are evid5ces ( ! inspiration 
( t book4 ,suppose t !re _h be5 no?+ 9 !
 ,old ,te/am5t uphold+ ^! crimes1 w\ld  
any mod]n ,*ri/ian suspect t x 0 n      
inspir$1 on acc\nt ( ! omission8        
,suppose t !re _h be5 no?+ 9 ! ,old     
,te/am5t b laws 9 fav\r ( ^! crimes1    
w\ld any intellig5t ,*ri/ian n[ cont5d t
 x 0 ! "w ( ! true ,god8 ,if ! ,devil _h
 inspir$ a book1 w "s believ] 9 !       
doctr9e ( inspiration tell u 9 :at      
respect1 on ! subjects ( slav]y1        
polygamy1 w>1 & lib]ty1 x w\ld h diff]$ 
f "s p>ts ( ! ,old ,te/am5t8 ,suppose t 
we %\ld n[ discov] a ,h9du book ( equal 
antiquity ) ! ,old ,te/am5t1 conta9+ a  
def5ce ( slav]y1 polygamy1 w>s (        
ext]m9ation1 & religi\s p]secution1 w\ld
 we reg>d x z evid5ce t ! writ]s 7      
inspir$ by an inf9itely wise & m]ciful  

,god8 ,z mo/ o!r nations at t "t        
practis$ ^! crimes1 & z ! ,jews w\ld h  
practis$ !m all1 ev5 if left to         
!mselves1 "o c h>dly see ! necessity (  
any inspir$ comm&s ^u ^! subjects4 ,is  
!re a believ] 9 ! ,bible :o does n wi% t
 ,god1 amid ! ?und]s & lightn+s ( ,s9ai1
 _h di/9ctly said to ,moses t man %\ld n
 own 8 fell[-man2 t wom5 %\ld n sell _! 
babes2 t m5 %\ld be all[$ to ?9k &      
inve/igate = !mselves1 & t ! sword %\ld 
nev] be un%ea!d to %$ ! blood ( hone/   
m58 ,is !re a believ] 9 ! _w1 :o w\ld n 
be delight$ to f9d t e "o ( ^! infam\s  
passages are int]polations1 & t ! skirts
 ( ,god 7 nev] r$d5$ by ! blood ( maid51
 wife1 or babe8 ,is !re a believ] :o    
does n regret t ,god comm&$ a husb& to  
/one 8 wife to dea? = sugge/+ ! wor%ip (
 ! sun or moon8 ,surely1 ! light (      
exp]i5ce is en\gh to tell u t slav]y is 
wrong1 t polygamy is infam\s1 & t murd] 
is n a virtue4 ,no "o w n[ cont5d t x 0 
wor? ,god's :ile to imp>t ! in=mation to
 ,moses or to ,jo%ua1 or to anybody     

else1 t ! ,jewi% p might pur*ase slaves 
( ! hea!n1 or t x 0 _! duty to ext]m9ate
 ! natives ( ! ,holy ,l&4 ,! dei/s h    
cont5d$ t ! ,old ,te/am5t is too cruel &
 b>b>\s to be ! "w ( a wise & lov+ ,god1
 ,to ?is1 ! !ologians h repli$1 t nature
 is j z cruel2 t ! e>?quake1 ! volcano1 
! pe/il5ce & /orm1 are j z savage z !   
,jewi% ,god2 & to my m9d ?is is a p]fect
 answ]4  ,suppose t we knew t aft]      
inspir$ m5 _h f9i%$ ! ,bible1 ! ,devil  
got possession ( x1 & wrote a few       
passages2 :at "p ( ! sacr$ ,scriptures  
w\ld ,*ris-tians n[ pick out z be+      
probably 8 "w8 ,:i* ( ! foll[+ passages 
w\ld naturally be select$ z hav+ be5    
writt5 by ! ,devil--,love ?y neighb\r z 
?yself1 or1 ,kill all ! males among !   
little ones1 & kill e woman2 b all !    
wom5 *ildr5 keep alive = y\rselves8  ,x 
may be t ! be/ way to illu/rate :at ,i h
 said ( ! ,old ,te/am5t is to comp>e "s 
( ! suppos$ tea*+s ( ,jehovah ) ^? (    
p]sons :o nev] read an inspir$ l9e1 & :o
 liv$ & di$ )\t hav+ receiv$ ! light (  

revelation4 ,no?+ c be m sugge/ive ?an a
 comp>ison ( ! ideas ( ,jehovah--!      
inspir$ words ( ! "o claim$ to be !     
inf9ite ,god1 z record$ 9 ! ,bible--) ^?
 t h be5 express$ by m5 :o1 all admit1  
receiv$ no help f heav54  ,9 all ages ( 
:i* any record has be5 pres]v$1 !re h   
be5 ^? :o gave _! ideas ( ju/ice1 *>ity1
 lib]ty1 love1 & law4 ,n[1 if ! ,bible  
is really ! "w ( ,god1 x %\ld conta9 !  
gr&e/ & sublime/ tru?s4 ,x %\ld1 9 all  
respects1 excel ! works ( man4 ,)9 t    
book %\ld be f\nd ! be/ & l(tie/        
def9itions ( ju/ice2 ! true/ conceptions
 ( human lib]ty2 ! cle>e/ outl9es (     
duty2 ! t5d]e/1 ! highe/1 & ! noble/    
?\ghts1--n t ! human m9d has produc$1 b 
t ! human m9d is capable ( receiv+4 ,^u 
e page %\ld be f\nd ! lum9\s evid5ce (  
its div9e orig94 ,unless x conta9s gr&] 
& m wond]ful ?+s ?an man has writt51 we 
are n only ju/ifi$ 9 say+1 b we are     
compell$ to say1 t x 0 writt5 by no be+ 
sup]ior to man4 ,x may be said t x is   
unfair to call att5tion to c]ta9 bad ?+s

 9 ! ,bible1 :ile ! good are n s mu* z  
m5tion$4 ,to ?is x may be repli$ t a    
div9e be+ w\ld n put bad ?+s 9 a book4  
,c]ta9ly a be+ ( inf9ite intellig5ce1   
p[]1 & goodness c\ld nev] fall bel[ !   
ideal ( deprav$ & b>b>\s man4 ,x w n d1 
aft] we f9d t ! ,bible upholds :at we n[
 call crimes1 to say t x is n v]bally   
inspir$4 ,if ! words are n inspir$1 :at 
is8 ,x may be said t ! ?\ghts are       
inspir$4 ,b ?is w\ld include only !     
?\ghts express$ )\t words ,if ideas are 
inspir$ !y mu/ be conta9$ 9 & express$  
only by inspir$ words2 t is1 to say1 !  
arrangem5t ( ! words1 ) relation1 to ea*
 o!r1 mu/ h be5 inspir$ ,= ! purpose (  
?is p]fect2 arrangem5t1 ! writ]s1       
accord+ to ! ,*ri/ian _w1 7 inspir$4 ,7 
"s sculptor inspir$1 ( ,god to make a   
/atue p]fect 9 its e "p1 we w\ld n say t
 ! m>ble 0 inspir$1 b ! /atue--!        
relation ( "p to "p1 ! m>ri$2 h>mony (  
=m & function4 ,! language1 ! words1    
take ! place ( ! m>ble1 & x is !        
arrangem5t ( ^! words t ,*ri/ians claim 

to be inspir$4 ,if !re is "o un9spir$   
^w1--t is1 "o ^w 9 ! wrong place1 or a  
^w t ought n to be !re1--to t ext5t !   
,bible is an un9spir$ book4 ,! mom5t x  
is admitt$ t "s words are n1 9 _!       
arrangem5t z to o!r words1 inspir$1 !n1 
unless ) absolute c]ta9ty ^! words c be 
po9t$ out1 a d\bt is ca/ on all ! words 
! book conta9s4 ,if x 0 wor? ,god's :ile
 to make a revelation to man at all1 x 0
 c]ta9ly wor? 8 :ile to see to x t x 0  
correctly made4 ,he w\ld n h all[$ !    
ideas & mi/akes ( pret5d$ prophets &    
design+ prie/s to become s m+l$ ) !     
orig9al text t x is impossible to tell  
:]e he ceas$ & :]e ! prie/s & prophets  
began4 ,nei!r w x d to say t ,god adapt$
 8 revelation to ! prejudices ( mank9d4 
,( c\rse x 0 necess>y = an inf9ite be+  
to adapt 8 revelation to ! intellectual 
capacity ( man2 b :y %\ld ,god confirm a
 b>b>ian 9 8 prejudices8 ,:y %\ld he    
=tify a hea!n 9 8 crimes8 ,if a         
revelation is ( any importance :atev]1 x
 is to eradicate prejudices f ! human   

m9d4 ,x %\ld be a lev] ) :i* to raise ! 
human race4 ,!ologians h exhau/$ _!     
+5uity 9 f9d+ excuses = ,god4 ,x seems  
to me t !y w\ld be bett] employ$ 9 f9d+ 
excuses = m54 ,!y tell u t ! ,jews 7 s  
cruel & ignorant t ,god 0 compell$ to   
ju/ify1 or ne>ly to ju/ify1 _m ( _!     
crimes1 9 ord] to h any influ5ce ) !m   
:atev]4 ,!y tell u t if he _h decl>$    
slav]y & polygamy to be crim9al1 ! ,jews
 w\ld h refus$ to receive ! t5          
comm&m5ts4 ,!y insi/ t1 "u !            
circum/ances1 ,god did ! be/ he c\ld2 t 
8 real int5tion 0 to lead !m along      
sl[ly1 /ep by /ep1 s t1 9 a few hundr$  
ye>s1 !y w\ld be induc$ to admit t x 0  
h>dly fair to /eal a babe f its "m's    
brea/4 ,x has always seem$ reasonable t 
an inf9ite ,god ought to h be5 able to  
make man gr& en\gh to "k1 ev5 )\t a     
,special revelation1 t x is n altoge!r  
"r to /eal ! lab\r1 or ! wife1 or !     
*ild1 ( ano!r4 ,:5 ! :ole "q is ?or\ghly
 exam9$1 ! _w w f9d t ,jehovah _h !     
prejudices1 ! hatr$s & ! sup]/itions ( 8

 day4  ,if !re is any?+ ( value1 x is   
lib]ty4 ,lib]ty is ! air ( ! s\l1 !     
sun%9e ( life1 ,)\t x ! _w is a prison &
 ! univ]se an inf9ite dungeon4  ,if !   
,bible is really inspir$ ,jehovah comm&$
 ! ,jewi% p to buy ! *ildr5 ( ! /rang]s 
t soj\rn$ among !m1 & ord]$ t ! *ildr5  
?us b\ght %\ld be an inh]itance = !     
*ildr5 ( ! ,jews1 & t !y %\ld be bondm5 
& bondwom5 =ev]4 ,yet ,epictetus1 a man 
to :om no revelation 0 ev] made1 a man  
^: s\l foll[$ only ! light ( nature1 &  
:o _h nev] he>d ( ! ,jewi% ,god1 0 great
 en\gh to say3 ,w y n rememb] t y\r     
s]vants are by nature y\r bro!rs1 !     
*ildr5 ( ,god8 ,9 say+ t y h b\ght !m1 y
 look d[n on ! e>?1 & into ! pit1 on !  
wret*$ law ( m5 long s9ce dead1 b y see 
n ! laws ( ! gods4  ,we f9d t ,jehovah1 
speak+ to 8 *os5 p1 assur$ !m t _!      
bondm5 & _! bondmaids mu/ be ( ! hea!n t
 7 r\nd ab\t !m4 ,( !m1 said ,jehovah1  
%all ye buy bondman & bondmaid4 ,& yet  
,cic]o1 a pagan1 ,cic]o1 :o _h nev] be5 
enlight5$ by read+ ! ,old ,te/am5t1 _h !

 moral gr&eur to decl>e3 ,!y :o say t we
 %\ld love our fell[-citiz5s1 b n       
=eign]s1 de/roy ! univ]sal bro!rhood (  
mank9d1 ) :i* b5evol5ce & ju/ice w\ld   
p]i% =ev]4  ,if ! ,bible is inspir$1    
,jehovah ,god ( all worlds1 actually    
said3 ,& if a man smite 8 s]vant or 8   
maid ) a rod1 & he die-"u 8 h&1 he %all 
be surely puni%$2 not)/&+1 if he cont9ue
 a day or two1 he %all n be puni%$1 = he
 is 8 money4 ,& yet ,z5o1 f\nd] ( !     
,/oics1 c5turies be=e ,*ri/ 0 born1     
insi/$ t no man c\ld be ! own] ( ano!r1 
& t ! title 0 bad1 :e!r ! slave _h      
become s by conque/1 or by pur*ase4     
,jehovah ord]$ a ,jewi% g5]al to make   
w>1 & gave1 among o!rs1 ?is comm&3 ,:5 !
 ,"l ?y ,god %all drive !m be=e !e1 ?\  
%alt smite !m & utt]ly de/roy !m2 ?\    
%alt make no cov5ant ) !m1 nor %[ m]cy  
unto !m4 ,& yet ,epictetus :om we h     
already quot$1 gave ?is m>vell\s rule = 
! guidance ( human conduct3 ,live ) ?y  
inf]iors z ?\ w\ld/ h ?y sup]iors live )
 !e4  ,is x possible1 aft] all1 t a be+ 

( inf9ite goodness & wisdom said3 ,i w  
heap mis*ief ^u !m2 ,i w s5d my arr[s ^u
 !m2 !y %all be burn$ ) hung]1 & dev\r$ 
) burn+ heat1 & ) bitt] de/ruction4 ,i w
 s5d ! too? ( bea/s among !m1 ) ! poison
 ( s]p5ts ( ! du/4 ,! sword )\t1 & t]ror
 )91 %all de/roy bo? ! "y man & ! virg91
 ! suckl+1 also1 ) ! man ( grey hairs2  
:ile ,s5eca1 an un9spir$ ,roman1 said3  
,! wise man w n p>don any crime t ought 
to be puni%$1 b he w accompli%1 9 a     
nobl] way1 all t is s\ght 9 p>don+4 ,he 
w sp>e "s & wat* ov] "s1 because ( _!   
y\?1 & o!rs on acc\nt ( _! ignorance4 ,8
 clem5cy w n fall %ort ( ju/ice1 b w    
fulfil x p]fectly4  ,c we believe t ,god
 ev] said ( any "o3 ,let 8 *ildr5 be    
fa!rless & 8 wife a wid[2 let 8 *ildr5  
be cont9ually vagabonds1 & beg2 let !m  
seek _! bread also out ( _! desolate    
places2 let ! extortion] cat* all t he  
ha? & let ! /rang] spoil 8 lab\r2 let   
!re be none to ext5d m]cy unto him1     
nei!r let !re be any to fav\r 8 fa!rless
 *ildr54 ,if he ev] said ^! words1      

surely he _h nev] he>d ?is l9e1 ?is /ra9
 ( music1 f ! ,h9du3 ,sweet is ! lute to
 ^? :o h n he>d ! prattle ( _! own      
*ildr54  ,jehovah1 f ! cl\ds & d>kness (
 ,s9ai said to ! ,jews3 ,?\ %alt h no   
o!r gods be=e me4444 ,?\ %alt n b[ d[n  
?yself to !m nor s]ve !m2 = ,i1 ! ,"l ?y
 ,god1 am a jeal\s ,god1 visit+ !       
iniquities ( ! fa!rs ^u ! *ildr51 unto !
 ?ird & f\r? g5]ation ( !m t hate me4   
,contra/ ^! ) ! words put by ! ,h9du 9 !
 m\? ( ,brahma3 ,i am ! same to all     
mank9d4 ,!y :o hone/ly s]ve o!r gods1   
involunt>ily wor%ip me4 ,i am he :o     
p>take? ( all wor%ip1 & ,i am ! rew>d ( 
all wor%ipp]s4  ,comp>e ^! passages4 ,! 
fir/1 a dungeon :]e crawl ! ?+s begot ( 
jeal\s slime2 ! o!r1 great z ! dom$     
firmam5t inlaid ) suns4     ,,ii4       
,,waiv+ ! contradictory /atem5ts 9 !    
v>i\s books ( ! ,new ,te/am5t2 leav+ out
 ( ! "q ! hi/ory ( ! manuscripts2 say+  
no?+ ab\t ! errors 9 translation & !    
int]polations made by ! fa!rs2 &        
admitt+1 = ! "t be+1 t ! books 7 all    

writt5 at ! times claim$1 & by ! p]sons 
^: names !y be>1 ! que/ions (           
inspiration1 probability1 & absurdity   
/ill rema94  ,z a rule1 :]e sev]al      
p]sons te/ify to ! same transaction1    
:ile agree+ 9 ! ma9 po9ts1 !y w disagree
 ^u _m m9or ?+s1 & su* disagreem5t ^u   
m9or matt]s is g5]ally consid]$ z       
evid5ce t ! witnesses h n agre$ among   
!mselves ^u ! /ory !y %\ld tell4 ,^!    
diff]5ces 9 /atem5t we acc\nt = f !     
facts t all did n see alike1 t all did n
 h ! same opportunity = see+1 & t all _h
 n equally good memories4 ,b :5 we claim
 t ! witnesses 7 inspir$1 we mu/ admit t
 he :o inspir$ !m did "k exactly :at    
occurr$1 & consequ5tly !re %\ld be no   
contradiction1 ev5 9 ! m9ute/ detail4 ,!
 acc\nts %\ld be n only sub/antially1 b 
!y %\ld be actually1 ! same4 ,x is      
impossible to acc\nt = any diff]5ces1 or
 any contradictions1 except f !         
weaknesses ( human nature1 & ^!         
weaknesses _c be pr$icat$ ( div9e       
wisdom4 ,:y %\ld !re be m ?an "o correct

 acc\nt ( any?+8 ,:y 7 f\r gospels      
necess>y8 ,"o inspir$ record ( all t    
happ5$ ought to be en\gh4  ,"o great    
objection to ! ,old ,te/am5t is !       
cruelty said to h be5 comm&$ by ,god1 b 
all ! cruelties rec\nt$ 9 ! ,old        
,te/am5t ceas$ ) dea?4 ,! v5geance (    
,jehovah /opp$ at ! portal ( ! tomb4 ,he
 nev] ?reat5$ to av5ge himself ^u !     
dead2 & n "o ^w1 f ! fir/ mi/ake 9      
,g5esis to ! la/ curse ( ,mala*i1       
conta9s ! slighte/ intimation t ,god w  
puni% 9 ano!r _w4 ,x 0 res]v$ = ! ,new  
,te/am5t to make kn[n ! frightful       
doctr9e ( et]nal pa94 ,x 0 ! tea*] (    
univ]sal b5evol5ce :o r5t ! veil betwe5 
"t & et]nity1 & fix$ ! horrifi$ gaze (  
man on ! lurid gulfs ( hell4 ,)9 ! brea/
 ( non-resi/ance 0 coil$ ! worm t nev]  
dies4  ,"o great objection to ! ,new    
,te/am5t is t x bases salvation ^u      
belief4 ,?is1 at lea/1 is true ( !      
,gospel accord+ to ,john1 & ( _m ( !    
epi/les4 ,i admit t ,mat!w nev] he>d ( !
 ,atonem5t1 & di$ utt]ly ignorant ( !   

s*eme ( salvation4 ,i also admit t ,m>k 
nev] dream$ t x 0 necess>y = a man to be
 born aga92 t he knew no?+ ( ! my/]i\s  
doctr9e ( ,reg5]ation1 & t he nev] ev5  
suspect$ t x 0 necess>y to believe      
any?+4 ,9 ! sixte5? *apt] ( ,m>k1 we are
 told t ,he t believe? & is baptiz$ %all
 be sav$1 b he t believe? n %all be     
damn$2 b ?is passage has be5 %[n to be  
an int]polation1 &1 consequ5tly1 n a    
solit>y ^w is f\nd 9 ! ,gospel accord+  
to ,m>k ^u ! subject ( salvation by     
fai?4 ,! same is also true ( ! ,gospel (
 ,luke4 ,x says n "o ^w z to ! necessity
 ( believ+ on ,jesus ,*ri/y n "o ^w z to
 ! ,atonem5t1 n "o ^w ^u ! s*eme (      
salvation1 & n ! slighte/ h9t t x is    
necess>y to believe any?+ "h 9 ord] to  
be happy h]eaft]4  ,& ,i "h take        
occasion to say1 t ) mo/ ( ! tea*+s ( ! 
,gospels ( ,mat!w1 ,m>k1 & ,luke ,i mo/ 
he>tily agree4 ,! miracul\s p>ts mu/1 ( 
c\rse1 be ?r[n aside4 ,i admit t !      
necessity ( ,belief1 ! ,atonem5t1 & !   
s*eme ( salvation are all set =? 9 !    

,gospel ( ,john1--a ,gospel1 9 my       
op9ion1 n writt5 until long aft] ! o!rs4
  ,accord+ to ! prevail+ ,*ri/ian       
belief1 ! ,*ri/ian religion re/s ^u !   
doctr9e ( ! ,atonem5t4 ,if ?is doctr9e  
is )\t f\ndation1 if x is repugnant to  
ju/ice & m]cy1 ! fabric falls4 ,we are  
told t ! fir/ man committ$ a crime = :i*
 all 8 po/]ity are responsible1--9 o!r  
words1 t we are acc\ntable1 & c be ju/ly
 puni%$ = a s9 we nev] 9 fact committ$4 
,?is absurdity 0 ! fa!r ( ano!r1 namely1
 t a man c be rew>d$ = a good action    
done by ano!r4 ,god1 accord+ to ! mod]n 
!ologians1 made a law1 ) ! p5alty (     
et]nal dea? = its infraction4 ,all m51  
!y say1 h brok5 t law4 ,9 ! economy (   
heav51 ?is law _h to be v9dicat$4 ,?is  
c\ld be done by damn+ ! :ole human race4
 ,?r\gh :at is kn[n z ! ,atonem5t1 !    
salvation ( a few 0 made possible4 ,!y  
insi/ t ! law--:atev] t is--dem&$ !     
extreme p5alty1 t ju/ice call$ = its    
victims1 & t ev5 m]cy ceas$ to plead4   
,"u ^! circum/ances ,god1 by all[+ !    

innoc5t to suff]1 satisfactorily settl$ 
) ! law1 & all[$ a few ( ! guilty to    
escape4 ,! law 0 satisfi$ ) ?is         
arrangem5t4 ,to c>ry out ?is s*eme1 ,god
 0 born z a babe into ?is _w4 ,he grew 9
 /ature & increas$ 9 k4 ,at ! age (     
?irty-?ree1 aft] hav+ liv$ a life fill$ 
) k9dness1 *>ity1 & nobility1 aft] hav+ 
practis$ e virtue1 he 0 sacrific$ z an  
atonem5t = man4 ,x is claim$ t he       
actually took our place1 & bore our s9s 
& our guilt2 t 9 ?is way ! ju/ice ( ,god
 0 satisfi$1 & t ! blood ( ,*ri/ 0 an   
atonem5t1 an expiation1 = ! s9s ( all :o
 might believe on him4  ,"u ! ,mosaic   
disp5sation1 !re 0 no remission ( s9    
except ?r\gh ! %$d+ ( blood4 ,if a man  
committ$ c]ta9 s9s1 he mu/ br+ to !     
prie/ a lamb1 a bullock1 a goat1 or a   
pair ( turtle-doves4 ,! prie/ w\ld lay 8
 h&s ^u ! animal1 & ! s9 ( ! man w\ld be
 transf]r$4 ,!n ! animal w\ld be kill$ 9
 ! place ( ! real s9n]1 & ! blood ?us %$
 & spr9kl$ ^u ! alt> w\ld be an         
atonem5t4 ,9 ?is way ,jehovah 0         

satisfi$4 ,! great] ! crime1 ! great] ! 
sacrifice--! m blood1 ! great] !        
atonem5t4 ,!re 0 always a c]ta9 ratio   
betwe5 ! value ( ! animal & ! enormity (
 ! s94 ,! mo/ m9ute directions 7 giv5   
ab\t ! kill+ ( ^! animals1 & ab\t !     
spr9kl+ ( _! blood4 ,e prie/ became a   
but*]1 & e sanctu>y a slaught]-h\se4    
,no?+ c\ld be m utt]ly %ock+ to a ref9$ 
& lov+ s\l4 ,no?+ c\ld h be5 bett]      
calculat$ to h>d5 ! he>t ?an ?is        
cont9ual %$d+ ( innoc5t blood4 ,?is     
t]rible sy/em is suppos$ to h culm9at$ 9
 ! sacrifice ( ,*ri/4 ,8 blood took !   
place ( all o!r4 ,x is necess>y to %$ no
 m4 ,! law at la/ is satisfi$1 satiat$1 
surfeit$4 ,! idea t ,god wants blood is 
at ! bottom ( ! ,atonem5t1 & re/s ^u !  
mo/ fe>ful savag]y4 ,h[ c s9 be         
transf]r$ f m5 to animals1 & h[ c ! %$d+
 ( ! blood ( animals atone = ! s9s ( m58
  ,! ,*ur* says t ! s9n] is 9 debt to   
,god1 & t ! obligation is dis*>g$ by !  
,savi\r4 ,! be/ t c possibly be said (  
su* a transaction is1 t ! debt is       

transf]r$1 n paid4 ,! tru? is1 t a s9n] 
is 9 debt to ! p]son he has injur$4 ,if 
a man injures 8 neighb\r1 x is n en\gh =
 him to get ! =giv5ess ( ,god1 b he mu/ 
h ! =giv5ess ( 8 neighb\r4 ,if a man    
puts 8 h& 9 ! fire & ,god =gives him1 8 
h& w sm>t exactly ! same4 ,y mu/1 aft]  
all1 reap :at y s[4 ,no god c give y    
:eat :5 y s[ t>es1 & no devil c give y  
t>es :5 y s[ :eat4  ,!re are 9 nature   
nei!r rew>ds nor puni%m5ts--!re are     
consequ5ces4 ,! life ( ,*ri/ is wor? its
 example1 its moral =ce1 its h]oism (   
b5evol5ce4  ,to make innoc5ce suff] is !
 greate/ s92 h[ !n is x possible to make
 ! suff]+ ( ! innoc5t a ju/ification = !
 crim9al8 ,:y %\ld a man be will+ to let
 ! innoc5t suff] = him8 ,does n !       
will+ness %[ t he is utt]ly unwor?y ( ! 
sacrifice8 ,c]ta9ly1 no man w\ld be fit 
= heav5 :o w\ld cons5t t an innoc5t     
p]son %\ld suff] = 8 s94 ,:at w\ld we   
?9k ( a man :o w\ld all[ ano!r to die = 
a crime t he himself _h committ$8 ,:at  
w\ld we ?9k ( a law t all[$ ! innoc5t to

 take ! place ( ! guilty8 ,is x possible
 to v9dicate a j law by inflict+        
puni%m5t on ! innoc5t8 ,w\ld n t be a   
second violation in/ead ( a v9dication8 
,if !re 0 no g5]al ,atonem5t until !    
crucifixion ( ,*ri/1 :at became ( !     
c\ntless millions :o di$ be=e t "t8 ,& x
 mu/ be rememb]$ t ! blood %$ by ! ,jews
 0 n = o!r nations4 ,jehovah hat$       
=eign]s4 ,! ,g5tiles 7 left )\t         
=giv5ess4 ,:at has become ( ! millions  
:o h di$ s9ce1 )\t hav+ he>d ( !        
,atonem5t8 ,:at becomes ( ^? :o h he>d b
 h n believ$8 ,x seems to me t ! doctr9e
 ( ! ,atonem5t is absurd1 unju/1 &      
immoral4 ,c a law be satisfi$ by !      
execution ( ! wrong p]son8 ,:5 a man    
commits a crime1 ! laws dem&s 8         
puni%m5t1 n t ( a sub/itute2 & !re c be 
no law1 human or div9e1 t c be satisfi$ 
by ! puni%m5t ( a sub/itute4 ,c !re be a
 ,jaw t dem&s t ! guilty be rew>d$8 ,&  
yet1 to rew>d ! guilty is f> ne>] ju/ice
 ?an to puni% ! innoc5t4  ,accord+ to ! 
or?odox !ology1 !re w\ld h be5 no heav5 

_h no ,atonem5t be5 made4 ,all ! *ildr5 
( m5 w\ld h be5 ca/ into hell =ev]4 ,!  
old m5 b[$ ) grief1 ! smil+ mo!rs1 !    
sweet babes1 ! lov+ maid5s1 ! brave1 !  
t5d]1 & ! j1 w\ld h be5 giv5 ov] to     
et]nal pa94 ,man1 x is claim$1 c make no
 ,atonem5t = himself4 ,if he commits "o 
s91 & ) t exception lives a life (      
p]fect virtue1 /ill t "o s9 w\ld rema9  
unexpiat$1 unaton$1 & = t "o s9 he w\ld 
be =ev] lo/ ,to be sav$ by ! goodness ( 
ano!r1 to be a r$eem$ debtor =ev]1 has 9
 x some?+ repugnant to manhood4  ,we mu/
 also rememb] t ,jehovah took special   
*>ge ( ! ,jewi% p2 & we h always be5    
taught t he did s = ! purpose ( civiliz+
 !m4 ,if he _h succe$$ 9 civiliz+ !     
,jews1 he w\ld h made ! damnation ( !   
entire human race a c]ta9ty2 because1 if
 ! ,jews _h be5 a civiliz$ p :5 ,*ri/   
appe>$1--a p ^: he>ts _h n be5 h>d5$ by 
! laws & tea*+s ( ,jehovah1--!y w\ld n h
 crucifi$ him1 &1 z a consequ5ce1 ! _w  
w\ld h be5 lo/4 ,if ! ,jews _h believ$ 9
 religi\s fre$om1--9 ! "r ( ?\ght &     

spee*1--n a human s\l c\ld ev] h be5    
sav$4 ,if1 :5 ,*ri/ 0 on 8 way to       
,calv>y "s brave1 h]oic s\l _h rescu$   
him f ! holy mob1 he w\ld n only h be5  
et]nally damn$ = 8 pa9s1 b w\ld h r5d]$ 
impossible ! salvation ( any human be+2 
&1 except = ! crucifixion ( h] son1 !   
,virg9 ,m>y1 if ! *ur* is "r1 w\ld be   
to-day among ! lo/4  ,9 c\ntless ways ! 
,*ri/ian _w has endeav\r$1 = ne>ly two  
?\s& ye>s1 to expla9 ! ,atonem5t1 & e   
ef=t has end$ 9 an admission t x _c be  
und]/ood1 & a decl>ation t x mu/ be     
believ$4 ,is x n immoral to tea* t man c
 s91 t he c h>d5 8 he>t & pollute 8 s\l1
 & t1 by rep5t+ & believ+ some?+ t he   
does n compreh5d1 he c avoid !          
consequ5ces ( 8 crimes8 ,has ! promise &
 hope ( =giv5ess ev] prev5t$ !          
commission ( a s98 ,%\ld m5 be taught t 
s9 gives happ9ess "h2 t !y ought to be> 
! evils ( a virtu\s life 9 ?is _w = !   
sake ( joy 9 ! next2 t !y c rep5t betwe5
 ! la/ s9 & ! la/ brea?2 t aft]         
rep5tance e /a9 ( ! s\l is wa%$ away by 

! innoc5t blood ( ano!r2 t ! s]p5t (    
regret3 w n hiss 9 ! e> ( memory2 t !   
sav$ w n ev5 pity ! victims ( _! own    
crimes2 t ! goodness ( ano!r c be       
transf]r$ to !m2 & t s9s =giv5 cease to 
affect ! unhappy wret*es s9n$ aga9/8    
,ano!r objection is t a c]ta9 belief is 
necess>y to save ! s\l ,x is (t5 ass]t$ 
t to believe is ! only safe way4 ,if y  
wi% to be safe1 be hone/4 ,no?+ c be    
saf] ?an t4 ,no matt] :at 8 belief may  
be1 no man1 ev5 9 ! h\r ( dea?1 c regret
 hav+ be5 hone/4 ,x nev] c be necess>y  
to ?r[ away y\r reason to save y\r s\l4 
,a s\l )\t reason is sc>cely wor? sav+4 
,!re is no m degrad+ doctr9e ?an t (    
m5tal non-resi/ance4 ,! s\l has a "r to 
def5d its ca/le--! bra91 & he :o waives 
t "r becomes a s]f & slave4 ,nei!r c ,i 
admit t a man1 by do+ me an injury1 c   
place me "u obligation to d him a       
s]vice4 ,to r5d] b5efits = injuries is  
to ignore all di/9ctions betwe5 actions4
 ,he :o treats 8 fri5ds & enemies alike 
has nei!r love nor ju/ice4 ,! idea (    

non-resi/ance nev] occurr$ to a man )   
p[] to protect himself4 ,?is doctr9e 0 !
 *ild ( weakness1 born :5 resi/ance 0   
impossible4 ,to all[ a crime to be      
committ$ :5 y c prev5t x1 is next to    
committ+ ! crime y\rself4 ,& yet1 "u !  
bann] ( non-resi/ance1 ! ,*ur* has %$ ! 
blood ( millions1 & 9 ! folds ( h] sacr$
 ,ve/m5ts h gleam$ ! dagg]s (           
assass9ation4 ,) h] cunn+ h&s %e wove ! 
purple = hypocrisy1 & plac$ ! cr[n ^u ! 
br[ ( crime4 ,= a ?\s& ye>s l>c5y held !
 scales ( ju/ice1 :ile begg>s scorn$ !  
pr9cely sons ( toil1 & ignorant fe>     
d5\nc$ ! lib]ty ( ?\ght4  ,if ,*ri/ 0 9 
fact ,god1 he knew all ! future4 ,be=e  
him1 l a panorama1 mov$ ! hi/ory yet to 
be4 ,he knew exactly h[ 8 words w\ld be 
int]pret$4 ,he knew :at crimes1 :at     
horrors1 :at infamies w\ld be committ$ 9
 8 "n4 ,he knew t ! fires ( p]secution  
w\ld climb ar\nd ! limbs ( c\ntless     
m>tyrs4 ,he knew t brave m5 w\ld langui%
 9 dungeons1 9 d>kness1 fill$ ) pa92 t !
 ,*ur* w\ld use in/rum5ts ( torture1 t 8

 foll[]s w\ld appeal to :ip & *a94 ,he  
mu/ h se5 ! horizon ( ! future r$ ) !   
flames ( ! ,auto-da-,fe4 ,he knew all ! 
cre$s t w\ld spr+ l poison fungi f e    
text4 ,he saw ! sects wag+ w> aga9/ ea* 
o!r4 ,he saw ?\s&s ( m51 "u ! ord]s (   
prie/s1 build+ dungeons = _! fell[-m54  
,he saw !m us+ in/rum5ts ( pa94 ,he he>d
 ! groans1 saw ! faces :ite ) agony1 !  
te>s1 ! blood--he>d ! %rieks & sobs (   
all ! moan+1 m>tyr$ multitudes4 ,he knew
 t comm5t>ies w\ld be writt5 on 8 words 
) swords1 to be read by ! light (       
fagots4 ,he knew t ! ,inquisition w\ld  
be born ( tea*+s attribut$ to him4 ,he  
saw all ! int]polations & falsehoods t  
hypocrisy w\ld write & tell4 ,he knew t 
above ^! fields ( dea?1 ^! dungeons1 ^! 
burn+s1 = a ?\s& ye>s w\ld float !      
dripp+ bann] ( ! cross4 ,he knew t 9 8  
"n 8 foll[]s w\ld trade 9 human fle%1 t 
cradles w\ld be robb$1 & wom5's brea/s  
unbab$ = gold1 & yet he di$ ) voiceless 
lips4 ,:y did he fail to speak8 ,:y did 
he n tell 8 disciples1 & ?r\gh !m ! _w1 

t man %\ld n p]secute1 = op9ion's sake1 
8 fell[-man8 ,:y did he n cry1 ,y %all n
 p]secute 9 my "n2 y %all n burn &      
torm5t ^? :o diff] f y 9 cre$8 ,:y did  
he n pla9ly say1 ,i am ! ,son ( ,god8   
,:y did he n expla9 ! doctr9e ( !       
,tr9ity8 ,:y did he n tell ! mann] (    
baptism t 0 pleas+ to him8 ,:y did he n 
say some?+ positive1 def9ite1 &         
satisfactory ab\t ano!r _w8 ,:y did he n
 turn ! te>-/a9$ hope ( heav5 to ! glad 
k ( ano!r life8 ,:y did he g dumbly to 8
 dea?1 leav+ ! _w to mis]y & to d\bt8   
,he came1 !y tell u1 to make a          
revelation1 & :at did he reveal8 ,love  
?y neighb\r z ?yself8 ,t 0 9 ! ,old     
,te/am5t1 ,love ,god ) all ?y he>t8 ,t 0
 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t1 ,return good = evil 
8 ,t 0 said by ,buddha sev5 hundr$ ye>s 
be=e he 0 born1 ,d unto o!rs z ye w\ld t
 !y %\ld d unto y8 ,?is 0 ! doctr9e (   
,laotse4 ,did he come to give a rule (  
action8 ,zoroa/] _h done ?is1 long be=e3
 ,:5ev] ?\ art 9 d\bt z to :e!r an      
action is good or bad1 ab/a9 f x4 ,did  

he come to tea* u ( ano!r _w8 ,!        
immortality ( ! s\l _h be5 taught by    
,h9dus1 ,egyptians1 ,greeks1 & ,romans  
hundr$s ( ye>s be=e he 0 born4 ,long    
be=e1 ! _w _h be5 told by ,socrates t3  
,"o :o is injur$ ought n to return !    
injury1 = on no acc\nt c x be "r to d an
 inju/ice2 & x is n "r to return an     
injury1 or to d evil to any man1 h[ev]  
mu* we may h suff]$ f him4 ,& ,cic]o _h 
said3 ,let u n li/5 to ^? :o ?9k t we   
ought to be angry ) our enemies & :o    
believe ?is to be great & manly3 no?+ is
 m praisewor?y1 no?+ s cle>ly %[s a     
great & noble s\l1 z clem5cy & read9ess 
to =give4  ,is !re any?+ ne>] p]fect ?an
 ?is f ,confucius3 ,= b5efits return    
b5efits2 = injuries return ju/ice )\t   
any admixture ( rev5ge8  ,! dogma (     
et]nal puni%m5t re/s ^u passages 9 !    
,new ,te/am5t1 ,?is infam\s belief      
subv]ts e idea ( ju/ice4 ,ar\nd ! angel 
( immortality ! ,*ur* has coil$ ?is     
s]p5t4 ,a f9ite be+ c nei!r commit an   
inf9ite s91 nor a s9 aga9/ ! inf9ite4 ,a

 be+ ( inf9ite goodness & wisdom has no 
"r1 accord+ to ! human /&>d ( ju/ice1 to
 create any be+ de/9$ to suff] et]nal   
pa94 ,a be+ ( inf9ite wisdom w\ld n     
create a failure1 & surely a man de/9$  
to ev]la/+ agony is n a success4  ,h[   
long1 accord+ to ! univ]sal b5evol5ce ( 
! ,new ,te/am5t1 c a man be reasonably  
puni%$ 9 ! next _w = fail+ to believe   
some?+ unreasonable 9 ?is8 ,c x be      
possible t any puni%m5t c endure =ev]8  
,suppose t e flake ( sn[ t ev] fell 0 a 
figure n9e1 & t ! fir/ flake 0 multipli$
 by ! second1 & t product by ! ?ird1 & s
 on to ! la/ flake4 ,& !n suppose t ?is 
total %\ld be multipli$ by e drop ( ra9 
t ev] fell1 call+ ea* drop a figure n9e2
 & t total by ea* blade ( grass t ev]   
help$ to weave a c>pet = ! e>?1 call+   
ea* blade a figure n9e1 & t aga9 by e   
gra9 ( s& on e %ore1 s t ! gr& total    
w\ld make a l9e ( n9es s long t x w\ld  
require millions ^u millions ( ye>s =   
light1 travell+ at ! rate ( "o hundr$ & 
eighty-five ?\s& miles p] second1 to    

rea* ! end4 ,& suppose1 fur!r1 t ea*    
unit 9 ?is almo/ inf9ite total /ood =   
billions ( ages--/ill t va/ & almo/     
endless "t1 measur$ by all ! ye>s       
beyond1 is z "o flake1 "o drop1 "o leaf1
 "o blade1 "o gra91 comp>$ ) all !      
flakes1 & drops1 & leaves1 & blades1 &  
gra9s4  ,^u love's brea/ ! ,*ur* has    
plac$ ! et]nal asp4 ,& yet1 9 ! same    
book 9 :i* is taught ?is mo/ infam\s (  
doctr9es1 we are assur$ t ,! ,"l is good
 to all1 & 8 t5d] m]cies are ov] all 8  
works4  ,,s ,,f> z we "k1 man is ! au?or
 ( all books4 ,if a book _h be5 f\nd on 
! e>? by ! fir/ man1 he might h reg>d$ x
 z ! "w ( ,god2 b z m5 7 "h a good :ile 
be=e any books 7 f\nd1 & z man has      
produc$ a great _m books1 ! probability 
is t ! ,bible is no exception4  ,mo/    
nations1 at ! "t ! ,old ,te/am5t 0      
writt51 believ$ 9 slav]y1 polygamy1 w>s 
( ext]m9ation1 & religi\s p]secution2 & 
x is n wond]ful t ! book conta9$ no?+   
contr>y to su* belief4 ,! fact t x 0 9  
exact accord ) ! morality ( its "t      

proves t x 0 n ! product ( any be+      
sup]ior to man4 ,! inspir$ writ]s upheld
 or e/abli%$ slav]y1 c\nt5anc$ polygamy1
 comm&$ w>s ( ext]m9ation1 & ord]$ !    
slaught] ( wom5 & babes4 ,9 ^! respects 
!y 7 precisely l ! un9spir$ savages by  
:om !y 7 surr\nd$4 ,!y also taught &    
comm&$ religi\s p]secution z a duty1 &  
visit$ ! mo/ trivial (f5ces ) ! puni%m5t
 ( dea?4 ,9 ^! p>ticul>s !y 7 9 exact   
accord ) _! b>b>ian neighb\rs4 ,!y 7    
utt]ly ignorant ( geology & a/ronomy1 & 
knew no m ( :at _h happ5$ ?an ( :at w\ld
 happ52 &1 s f> z accuracy is conc]n$1  
_! hi/ory & prophecy 7 ab\t equal2 9 o!r
 words1 !y 7 j z ignorant z ^? :o liv$ &
 di$ 9 ,nature's night4  ,does any      
,*ri/ian believe t if ,god 7 to write a 
book n[1 he w\ld uphold ! crimes comm&$ 
9 ! ,old ,te/am5t8 ,has1 ,jehovah       
improv$8 ,has inf9ite m]cy become m     
m]ciful8 ,has inf9ite wisdom            
intellectually advanc$8 ,w any "o claim 
t ! passages uphold+ slav]y h lib]at$   
mank9d2 t we are indebt$ = our mod]n    

homes to ! texts t made polygamy a      
virtue2 or t religi\s lib]ty f\nd its   
soil1 its light1 & ra91 9 ! infam\s v]se
 :]e9 ! husb& is comm&$ to /one to dea? 
! wife = wor%ipp+ an unkn[n ,god8  ,!   
usual answ] to ^! objection is t no     
c\ntry has ev] be5 civiliz$ )\t !       
,bible4  ,! ,jews 7 ! only p to :om     
,jehovah made 8 w directly kn[n1--! only
 p :o _h ! ,old ,te/am5t4 ,o!r nations 7
 utt]ly neglect$ by _! ,creator4 ,yet1  
su* 0 ! effect ( ! ,old ,te/am5t on !   
,jews1 t !y crucifi$ a k9d1 lov+1 &     
p]fectly innoc5t man4 ,!y c\ld n h done 
mu* worse )\t a ,bible4 ,9 ! crucifixion
 ( ,*ri/1 !y foll[$ ! tea*+s ( 8 ,fa!r4 
,if1 z x is n[ alleg$ by ! !ologians1 no
 nation c be civiliz$ )\t a ,bible1     
c]ta9ly ,god mu/ h kn[n ! fact six ?\s& 
ye>s ago1 z well z ! !ologians "k x n[4 
,:y did he n furni% e nation ) a ,bible8
  ,z to ! ,old ,te/am5t1 ,i insi/ t all 
! bad passages 7 writt5 by m52 t ^?     
passages 7 n inspir$4 ,i insi/ t a be+ (
 inf9ite goodness nev] comm&$ man to    

enslave 8 fell[-man1 nev] told a "m to  
sell h] babe1 nev] e/abli%$ polygamy1   
nev] ord]$ "o nation to ext]m9ate ano!r1
 & nev] told a husb& to kill 8 wife     
because %e sugge/$ ! wor%ipp+ ( "s o!r  
,god4  ,i also insi/ t ! ,old ,te/am5t  
w\ld be a mu* bett] book ) all ( ^!     
passages left out2 &1 :atev] may be said
 ( ! re/1 ! passages to :i* att5tion has
 be5 drawn c ) va/ly m propriety be     
attribut$ to a ,devil ?an to a ,god4    
,take f ! ,new ,te/am5t all passages    
uphold+ ! idea t belief is necess>y to  
salvation2 t ,*ri/ 0 (f]$ z an atonem5t 
= ! s9s ( ! _w2 t ! puni%m5t ( ! human  
s\l w g on =ev]2 t heav5 is ! rew>d (   
fai?1 & hell ! p5alty ( hone/           
inve/igation2 take f x all miracul\s    
/ories1--& ,i admit t all ! good        
passages are true4 ,if !y are true1 x   
makes no diff]5ce :e!r !y are ,inspir$  
or n4 ,inspiration is only necess>y to  
give au?ority to t :i* is repugnant to  
human reason4  ,only t :i* nev] happ5$  
ne$s to be sub/antiat$ by miracles4 ,!  

univ]se is natural4  ,! ,*ur* mu/ cease 
to insi/ t ! passages uphold+ !         
in/itutions ( savage m5 7 inspir$ (     
,god1 ,! dogma ( ! ,atonem5t mu/ be     
ab&on$4 ,good de$s mu/ take ! place (   
fai?4 ,! savag]y ( et]nal puni%m5t mu/  
be r5\nc$4 ,cr$ulity is n a virtue1 &   
inve/igation is n a crime4 ,miracles are
 ! *ildr5 ( m5dacity4 ,no?+ c be m      
wond]ful ?an ! maje/ic1 unbrok51        
sublime1 & et]nal procession ( causes & 
effects4  ,reason mu/ be ! f9al arbit]1 
,inspir$ books atte/$ by miracles _c /& 
aga9/ a demon/rat$ fact4 ,a religion t  
does n comm& ! respect ( ! greate/ m9ds 
w1 9 a little :ile1 excite ! mock]y (   
all4 ,e civiliz$ man believes 9 ! lib]ty
 ( ?\ght4 ,is x possible t ,god is      
intol]ant8 ,is an act infam\s 9 man "o (
 ! virtues ( ! ,deity8 ,c\ld !re be     
progress 9 heav5 )\t intellectual       
lib]ty8 ,is ! fre$om ( ! future to exi/ 
only 9 p]dition8 ,is x n1 aft] all1     
b>ely possible t a man act+ l ,*ri/ c be
 sav$8 ,is a man to be et]nally rew>d$ =

 believ+ accord+ to evid5ce1 ) out      
evid5ce1 or aga9/ evid5ce8 ,are we to be
 sav$ because we are good1 or because   
ano!r 0 virtu\s8 ,is cr$ulity to be w+$ 
& cr[n$1 :ile hone/ d\bt is *a9$ ana    
damn$8  ,d n misund]/& me4 ,my position 
is t ! cruel passages 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t 
are n inspir$2 t slav]y1 polygamy1 w>s (
 ext]m9ation1 & religi\s p]secution1    
always h be51 are1 & =ev] w be1 abhorr$ 
& curs$ by ! hone/1 ! virtu\s1 & ! lov+2
 t ! innoc5t _c ju/ly suff] = ! guilty1 
& t vic>i\s vice & vic>i\s virtue are   
equally absurd2 t et]nal puni%m5t is    
et]nal rev5ge2 t only ! natural c happ52
 t miracles prove ! di%one/y ( ! few & !
 cr$ulity ( ! _m2 & t1 accord+ to       
,mat!w1 ,m>k1 & ,luke1 salvation does n 
dep5d ^u belief1 nor ! ,atonem5t1 nor a 
second bir?1 b t ^! gospel are 9 exact  
h>mony ) ! decl>ation ( ! great ,p]sian3
 ,tak+ ! fir/ foot/ep ) ! good ?\ght1 ! 
second ) ! good ^w1 & ! ?ird ) ! good   
de$1 ,i ent]$ p>adise4  ,! dogmas ( !   
pa/ no long] rea* ! level ( ! highe/    

?\ght1 nor satisfy ! hung] ( ! he>t4    
,:ile du/y fai?s1 embalm$ & sepul*]$ 9  
anci5t texts1 rema9 ! same1 ! sympa?ies 
( m5 enl>ge2 ! bra9 no long] kills its  
"y2 ! happy lips give lib]ty to hone/   
?\ghts2 ! m5tal firmam5t exp&s & lifts2 
! brok5 cl\ds drift by2 ! hide\s dreams1
 ! f\l1 mis%ap5 *ildr5 ( ! mon/r\s      
night1 dissolve & fade4