Part 1 (1/2)
A LEGACY TO THE FRIENDS OF FREE DISCUSSION.
by Benjamin Offen.
PREFACE
IN the following pages the author has freely discussed the claims of the books called the Old and New Testaments, to be considered Divine revelations. He had a _right_ so to do; and in presenting the work to the public he gives the result of his exercise of such right.
The right of free discussion has been questioned. It would be well for humanity if this were all; but unhappily, the pages of history are replete with deeds of persecution and cruelty, committed by men, in the possession of power, on their less fortunate fellow-men, who have presumed to exercise the right of free investigation. Cupidity has drawn a line of demarcation; it has established boundaries for thought; and miserable has been the fate of the unhappy wretch who, rejoicing in the dignity of his nature, and anxious to discover the abode of Truth, has dared to pa.s.s the Rubicon.
What is Free Discussion? We answer, it is the exercise of the reasoning faculties. Without Free Discussion man cannot exist. His physical existence might indeed remain; but he could no longer be deemed a man; and would have to take a lower rank in the scale of creation.
Without investigation it is impossible to arrive at Truth; hence the utility of Free Discussion. This is never denied when science is the subject; and we have yet to learn why it should be restrained in any case; and also _how_ and _when_ any set of men became possessed of the right to restrain the exercise of the reasoning faculties of their fellow-men.
When men have not been impelled by cupidity to shackle the minds of their fellow beings, a spirit of uncharitableness has induced them to pursue the same line of conduct. Whoever has maintained an opinion contrary to theirs, has been considered as being actuated, not by mistaken, but, by dishonest motives; and has therefore been deemed a fit subject for punishment. As this work will probably be read by many professing Christians we will here give an extract from Dr. Blair's sermon on _Candor_, which will, probably, make a greater impression than any thing we could offer on that subject.
”It is one of the misfortunes of our present situation, that some of the good dispositions of human nature are apt to betray us into frailties and vices. Thus it often happens, that the laudable attachment which we contract to the country, or the church, to which we belong, or to some political denomination under which we cla.s.s ourselves, both confines our affections within too narrow a sphere, and gives rise to violent prejudices against such as come under an opposite description. Not contented with being in the right ourselves, we must find all others in the wrong. We claim an exclusive possession of goodness and wisdom: and from approving warmly of those who join us, we proceed to condemn, with much acrimony, not only the principles, but the _characters_, of those from whom we differ. Hence, persons of well disposed minds are too often, through the strength of partial good affection, involved in the crime of uncharitable judgment They rashly extend to every individual the severe opinion which they have unwarrantably conceived of a whole body. This man is of a party whose principles we reckon slavish; and therefore his whole sentiments are corrupted. That man belongs to a religious sect which we are accustomed to deem bigoted; and therefore he is incapable of any generous or liberal thought Another is connected with a sect which we have been taught to account relaxed; and therefore he can have no sanct.i.ty.-Are these the judgments of candor and charity?
Is true piety or virtue so very limited in its nature, as to be confined to such alone as see every thing with our eyes, and follow exactly the train of our ideas?”
The author disclaims any intention of wounding the feelings of those who hold opinions different to his own. For the religions hypocrite he has no bowels of compa.s.sion; but the sincere believer in Divine revelation, whose conduct is regulated by the universally acknowledged roles of morality, is to him an object of sincere respect and esteem.
Many things connected with what is called Divine revelation, have been very freely commented on by the author; and sometimes in a style which the Christian world will probably be disposed to condemn; but it should be remembered that what appears sacred to one, excites the ridicule of others. The Pagan venerates his manufactured G.o.d; the Christian views it with contempt and indignation.
The object of the author has been the promotion of Truth and Benevolence.
Should he fail to produce the effects he has contemplated, he will yet be able to console himself with the reflection, that he has been actuated by good intentions. The time has been when the a.s.sertion was frequently made that ”h.e.l.l was paved with good intentions” had the work appeared at that time, the author would, doubtless, have been destined, so far as human agency could effect it, to become one of the paving stones of that remarkable edifice: but a brighter day has dawned upon the world; Reason is a.s.serting her right to empire; and the cheering spirit of benevolence is animating the nations of the earth.
The shades of life's evening admonish the author that his sojourn in the world will very shortly be brought to a close. He is anxious, therefore, before his departure, to cast in his mite for the eradication of human suffering, and the promotion of human felicity; and then, in wrapping himself in the mantle of universal benevolence, to retire from the transitory scene, in charity with all men.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
THE main object of this book is to show that Jehovah, the G.o.d of the Jews, is not the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, but a fict.i.tious being, having no real existence whatever. If the above position be correct, it follows, that the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is not a Divine Revelation. But that the reader may see, more clearly, upon what uncertain ground divine revelation rests, the plan pursued in the following chapters will be a review of the _facts_ and _personages_ as recorded in the Old and New Testaments. But the limits of this work will only admit of a mere scantling of what might be written on the subject.
In most Christian countries (America excepted,) this work would be answered by either fine or imprisonment, or probably both. But fortunately for the cause of truth and free discussion, theological power here is so happily balanced, that persecution for religious opinions is impracticable. The period therefore has arrived, in this country in particular, when reason is free from the former obstacles that every where crossed its path. Now, then, is the time for us to examine the religion of our forefathers, and explore the regions of human credulity. A mixture of pain and pleasure will be the result:-_pain_, in considering what suffering has befallen the human family, when the laudable indulgence of imagining and reasoning was considered rebellion against G.o.d; and _pleasure_, to us who, having escaped those dreadful evils which in former ages spread terror throughout the world, can lessen the evils that surround us, and augment to an almost unlimited degree our happiness.
To those who may have the moral courage to read the following pages, I would say, I have neither a desire to shock their feelings, nor any wish to change their sentiments in order to gratify my vanity; for had Christianity been productive of ”peace on earth and good will towards men,” I should have been the last to have opposed it. But on the contrary, the page of religious history is blotted with human gore. The intolerant spirit that pervades the Old and New Testaments, has so inoculated its followers of every sect, that while they profess to love each other for Christ's sake, one sect (the strongest) has put to death a weaker sect for G.o.d's sake. Nothing short of convincing men that the Bible is not a divine revelation, can or will guarantee posterity against a recurrence of those scenes of horror, at the very thought of which, the heart sickens.
From the pulpit, and in religious works, nothing is more common than to exclaim with horror at the unblus.h.i.+ng Infidel. Unblus.h.i.+ng Infidel! What cause have Infidels to blush? The blush, if any, ought to be on the face of the Christians of every sect. They have never failed to persecute when in power: they have been guilty of cruelties, at which the savage cannibal would weep, and this will ever be the case so long as the Bible is considered as coming from G.o.d; because, till all consequence is taken away from faith, and transferred to moral rect.i.tude, persecution is the effect of believing that _faith_ is the sure pa.s.sport to glory, while _unbelief_ is the broad road to perdition. Men cease to be Christians when they lose this spirit of intolerance, and become Infidels.
Sects are not alike intolerant; but all are in some degree. The Calvinists will not permit the Unitarians to preach in their churches.
The Unitarians, or Universalists, will not permit an Infidel lecturer to speak in their churches,-no, not even on moral subjects. Christians, then, will always be more or less of a persecuting disposition, and nothing but giving up the Bible, as a Divine revelation, will destroy that spirit. To show how a profession of Christianity, unfits men to do justice to those who differ from them in religion, I will refer to the treatment of Thomas Paine, author of ”Common Sense.” His services in the glorious struggle that ”tried men's souls” have been shamefully forgotten. Yes! the friend of the immortal Was.h.i.+ngton, who shared in the toils and dangers with the father of this great republic,-how have Americans generally treated his name and efforts to erect one of the most n.o.ble monuments of human wisdom-the _independent republic of North America?_ For all his faithful devotedness to the independence of America, how is his name and memory spoken of at the present time? From the pulpit, every kind of falsehood and detraction is poured forth concerning him.
If he had been, a member of a church, the same fanatical priesthood would have lauded him to the skies. Such is the nature of religious bigotry, that the friends.h.i.+p of the ever to be venerated Was.h.i.+ngton-even that, cannot s.h.i.+eld his name from pulpit calumny. ”Bigotry, she has no head, and cannot think; she has no heart, and cannot feel.”
But the name and services of Thomas Paine, are not, and never will be, forgotten. Thanks to the Liberals throughout the Union, his birthday is yearly celebrated in most of the cities and towns in the different States. A handsome and durable monument has been erected to his memory at New Roch.e.l.le, New York State. The thanks of-the Liberals are due to Mr. G. Vale, Editor of the _Beacon_, published in New York, for his untiring perseverance in urging on the completion of a monument will, in time, command the respect of posterity. Why are the name and services of Thomas Paine be cautiously omitted by our orators and statesmen, when speaking of the patriotism of a Was.h.i.+ngton, Jefferson, Adams, Hanc.o.c.k, and others? It would offend the church and priesthood, as well as the whole of the Christian community; because-”_He that believeth not shall be d.a.m.ned._” This is the brightest gem in the Christian's crown of glory. If he nurse this intolerant spirit against Infidels, the Christian considers his ”_calling and election sure._”