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diff --git a/40983-8.txt b/40983-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3333416..0000000 --- a/40983-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1296 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Thoughts on the Christian Religion by a -Deist, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Thoughts on the Christian Religion by a Deist - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: October 8, 2012 [EBook #40983] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger - - - - - - -THOUGHTS ON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION BY A DEIST - -TO WHICH ARE ADDED, A FEW IDEAS ON MIRACULOUS CONVERSION, AND RELIGION -IN GENERAL. - - -By A Theophilanthropist - -LONDON: - -PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY R. CARLILE, 55, FLEET STREET. - -1819. - - - - -THOUGHTS - - -Religion, in some form or other, seems to have been observed by mankind, -in all ages and all parts of the world; and considered as the most noble -employment, of the most divine nature, and producing the most beneficial -effects to society, of all the objects that ever engaged their -attention: although from casual circumstances, and interested motives -of individuals, there are as many modes and varieties of worship, as -languages or nations on the face of the earth. - -Europeans have in general embraced Christianity, as contained in -the Bible, which _they_ call the Word of God, as the only true and -infallible system on earth, and which only can lead us to eternal -happiness. This Bible, we have been taught to believe, is holy, just, -perfect, and superior to the human understanding; so sacred, that to -doubt or disbelieve it, would entail on us inevitable never-ending -misery. This doctrine, being instilled into children by their nurses, -and enforced by terror at a riper age, has long been assented to by the -_generality of people_, who seldom think or enquire for themselves, but -are always more or less the dupes of designing men. - -But the times are now changing; the privilege of reasoning and believing -for ourselves begins to be exercised--freedom of enquiry abounds; and -the natural inherent right of speaking and acting according to the -dictates of our own conscience (without injuring society) is happily -enjoyed. Consequently, impositions of every kind, superstitious -prejudices, and the long worshipped fabrics of civil and religious -tyranny, are daily growing into contempt, and in all probability will -soon be torn from their foundations, and consigned to that infamous -oblivion which they so highly merit. - -To come more immediately to the point--the Christian religion, as -generally practised, presents itself as one of those monuments of -ignorance and credulity, which the wisdom of the present generation is -probably destined to overthrow, and to substitute a system more simple, -more pure, and more agreeable to the dictates of reason. The Bible, upon -examination, we shall find deficient in many of the virtues that have -been ascribed to it. As a human composition, its merits have been -greatly over-rated: it is exceeded in sentiment, invention, style, and -every other literary qualification. The obscurity, incredibility, and -obscenity, so conspicuous in many parts of it, would justly condemn the -works of a modern writer. It contains a mixture of inconsistency and -contradiction; to call which the _word of God_, is the highest pitch of -extravagance: it is to attribute to the Deity that which any person of -common sense would blush to confess himself the author of. - -How are the rights and dignity of human nature insulted, degraded, and -trampled upon! how are mankind blinded, deceived, and led away by this -system! how is the honour and character of the Almighty affronted by the -absurd and impious doctrines it contains! How is the sacred name of God -abused and prostituted to the vilest and most execrable purposes, by his -pretended worshippers! And all for one simple, evident end, to gratify -the pride and avarice of unprincipled, designing men! - -But something more than declamation is necessary to support these -assertions. I shall therefore give the reasons why I disbelieve the -Christian system, and all the arguments advanced in its favour. - -As to the existing proofs of the divine authority of the Bible, whether -internal or external, whether the evidence we feel in our own minds -on examining it, or the miracles which are said to have attended its -propagation, they are of no avail in convincing us of its divine origin: -and I do not think, that independent of the prejudices of education, and -the power of eloquence, there ever was a reasonable thinking man, who -felt a sufficient internal evidence to convince him of the reality of -the whole of its doctrines. - -With respect to the public proofs exhibited by its founders, we find -them no stronger than those in favour of Mahometanism, or perhaps any -other system. Mahomet is said to have wrought as many miracles, preached -as good doctrine, converted ten times as many followers, and was far -more successful in all his enterprizes, however bold or difficult, than -Jesus Christ. The Christians say, the Mahometan miracles were nothing -but impostures; and the Mahometans say, with as much authority, that the -Christian miracles were the same. - -If the gospel system was so clear, so reasonable, and so powerful, as -its advocates assert, what necessity could there have been for miracles -to support it? If it had any foundation in reason and nature, there -would have been no occasion for mystery, miracle, or revelation, to -confirm it. A doctrine that is reasonable and true, will appear so to -every unprejudiced mind, without the aid of any thing supernatural. -Consequently, that system which requires miraculous assistance to -establish it, and cannot be proved by human means, is neither reasonable -nor true. - -Supposing the Bible to have been written by divine inspiration, at -the times, and by the persons mentioned in it, still it is next to -impossible, that it could have been transmitted down to the present time -pure and uncontaminated, even if there had been but one nation and one -language upon earth. The variety of translations and editions it has -passed through in the course of near 1800 years, if it has existed -so long, (which I am inclined to disbelieve of many parts) and the -continual improvements and alterations in human language, during -that period, amount to a presumptive proof that the sense has been -unavoidably mistaken, or wilfully perverted. A confirmation of this -remark is open to all: let any one take the trouble of comparing -different copies of the Bible, printed in the last and present -centuries, or even in the same year, and he will often find a striking -disagreement. - -Admitting that the Bible contains the only doctrine by which we -can obtain salvation and everlasting life, which of the numberless -professions that have sprung out of it are we to embrace? One sect tells -us that there is no salvation out of the pale of their church. Another -tells us, that unless we believe and practise their doctrines, we shall -surely be damned. Let us believe, therefore, in whatever particular -profession we may, we shall be damned according to the principles of the -others. - -How gracious and beneficent is the Christian system! so perfect and pure -that it creates so many different, distinct, and opposite denominations -of believers; all of them right, infallibly right, in their own -opinions, and proving their doctrine by the clear, in-contestible -authority of divine revelation! - -Many, as an excuse for countenancing a doctrine which they confess may -not be true, say, that if the Christian religion be false, it is still -very hurtful to attempt to overturn it; as we have no better guide, and -no other method to restrain the passions and regulate the conduct of -mankind; as it is the most perfect and beneficial system that could be -devised. To determine this, we must look at its effects. - -That doctrine which has the greatest tendency to secure our present -and future happiness is the best; it proves itself to be so. That the -Christian system does not tend to make us happier, may easily be shewn, -by tracing its natural operations on the human mind. By it we are led -to believe, that we are all miserable and ruined wretches; corrupt and -exceedingly wicked from our very birth; naturally sinful, and opposed to -the will of God in all our actions, words, and thoughts; and so far from -deserving the common blessings of life, that if justice had been -done us, we should long since have been cast into endless punishment. -Tribulation, distress, and sore trials, are the common lot of mankind, -especially the good. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." This world, -it tells us, is a wretched, tiresome, and accursed place; a mere sink of -guilt and misery; and all its enjoyments vanity and vexation of spirit. -Though by the bye, those who are called sincere and pious Christians -seem to be as desirous of continuing in it, and tasting the good thing's -it affords, as the most sensual and worldly-minded sinner. It likewise -instils into its followers such a servile fear, and dread of the wrath -of heaven, that they can neither lie down at night, nor rise in the -morning, without first attempting, by intreaty, flattery, and fair -promises, to appease the Divine anger, and persuade the Almighty to -permit them to exist in peace. Every accident is a judgement, and a -prelude to further punishment. Every misfortune that happens to their -neighbours is a warning to them; and they are liable every moment to be -cut off by an avenging God, and sent to Hell. - -While on the one hand, they represent the Deity as their servant, -to assist them on every occasion, averting every ill they bring upon -themselves, and extricating them from every difficulty and distress -they plunge themselves into; on the other he is supposed to be a fierce, -revengeful tyrant, delighting in cruelty, punishing his creatures for -the very sins which he causes them to commit; and creating numberless -millions of immortal souls, that could never have offended him, for -the express purpose of tormenting them to all eternity. Thus they -are generally miserable through life, in meditating on death and its -supposed consequences. - -The authority of the Bible appears still more doubtful from the -absurdities and contradictions it contains; contradictions which all the -sophistical ingenuity of reverend divines, with their literal meaning -of this text, and spiritual interpretation of that, can never explain or -reconcile. - -In the very first chapter of the whole volume, containing an account of -the creation, we find an inexplicable difficulty. In Genesis i. 27, 28, -we are told, that "God created man, _male and female_, blessed _them_, -and said unto _them&c_". But in ii. 20, we find that "there was not an -help meet for Adam:" therefore, ver. 18, "God said, it is not good that -man should be alone." And, ver. 22, "he made a woman, and brought her -unto the man." - -The Almighty, according to many parts of the Bible, is a perfect, -unchangeable being. In Isaiah, he is said to declare, that he is "not -as a man, that he should repent." But in other places we read of his -repenting very frequently. He repented that he had made man. Having -determined to destroy the Israelites, and having slain seventy thousand -of them, "he repented of the evil," and spared the rest. He told -Hezekiah that "he should surely die, and not live," but immediately -repented, and gave him fifteen years longer. Jonah prophesied, in his -name, that in forty days Nineveh should be overthrown; but the people -believing him (though he did not perform his promise) and forsaking -their sins, he "repented of the evil that he said he would do unto them, -and did it not." - -In one place it says, "Our God is a consuming fire;" and in another, -"God is love." He is said to be Jealous, revengeful, and angry with the -wicked every day; and pleased again as often as they repent: possessing -all the good and evil qualities of man, that unstable, wicked, -miserable, and insignificant worm. Notwithstanding all this, he is -perfectly just, wise, immutable, and can never repent. - -The Christian system, I venture to affirm, has been the cause of -more evil in the world, than any other that ever appeared in it. By -inculcating a belief that the Deity was a terrible God, an inexorable -judge, taking vengeance on all his enemies; its professors, wishing to -conform as much as possible to the character and disposition of _their -God_, have in all ages acted with the same spirit, and upon the same -principles: - - "O let this strong, unerring hand, - Thy bolts for ever throw; - And deal damnation round the land, - On each I judge thy foe." - - -Inspired with the most vindictive hatred to all who do not subscribe to -the principles they profess (who are, according to their faith, enemies; -for they say, there is no medium or neutrality, "all who are not for -us are against us;)" they have never failed, in any country, and at -all times, when they had the power, to exercise the most cruel and -detestable spirit that ever disgraced human nature. Not contented with -insulting, oppressing, enslaving, and butchering the poor heretics here, -but most humanely and charitably condemning them to everlasting torments -hereafter. - -During the first 320 years of its existence, Christianity occasioned -the destruction of many millions of mankind. In the first part of this -period, the Christians were the greatest sufferers; but in the year -312 Maxentius and his army of 200,000, were most of them drowned in the -Tiber, or slain by Constantine, the Christian emperor; who, in three -great battles, in one of which 100,000 were killed, reduced and put to -death Licinus, the deputy emperor of the East; persecuted the Heathens -and destroyed their idols, the symbols of their divinities. - -In the twelfth and subsequent centuries, millions of Waldenses and -Protestants were murdered in the south of France. How many millions lost -their lives in the mad crusades for the recovery of the Holy Land! -In Germany and Flanders, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in South -America. But I stop, or "I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word -would harrow up the soul," chill the blood with horror, and draw forth -curses from the grave against the very name of a religion which has been -made the pretext for such cruelties. - -Indeed, it is impossible to calculate the mischief that has attended -the Christian system since its commencement. But, say its advocates, all -this was done by Antichrist, or the false church. Which then is the true -church? Not that which persecutes. And what church is that? The -church of Rome? No: for that, after long struggles, no sooner became -established in power, than it persecuted its dissenting sons with all -the zeal and barbarity that it had experienced from its enemies. The -church of England? No: for although that separated from the church of -Rome, and rejected many of the errors and corruptions which had crept -into it; yet no sooner was it fully established in Great Britain, than -it very carefully trod over the steps of the mother church, persecuted -Roman Catholics, and all Dissenters. The Puritans, who fled to this -country for the sake of freedom of conscience and religious liberty, -were no sooner settled, than they discovered the same illiberal -persecuting spirit which drove them hither, and persecuted the Quakers -in their turn; becoming as corrupt as any of the former churches. Each -of them, while they were weak and defenceless, suffered by the murderous -hand of its oppressors; and, when become strong and powerful, persecuted -and martyred its feebler enemies. And I believe there is not a church in -Christendom but would, if it could not convert, most gladly destroy -all its opposers; had it that one essential and only necessary quality, -_power_. For they affirm, that the world, with all its blessings, are -nothing but temptations to draw them away from their true interest; and -that unbelievers of every kind are their natural implacable enemies. - -The carnal mind, say they, is enmity to God and his people, (themselves) -and is in continual opposition to every thing good and heavenly; they -must then of necessity wage an eternal war against all who do not -acknowledge their system, as the only sure, guide to heaven. - -The powerful blow which has been aimed at this system of faith by -Paine's Age of Reason, has created a general and well-founded alarm. -That work, to every bigotted or interested follower of Christianity, -appears in a dreadful light indeed, as it is a direct attack upon their -favourite, their dearly-beloved system of gospel faith, which exalts -them, in their own opinions, so much above the rest of mankind. - -The Christian theology is so favourable to the pride and vanity of man, -that the slightest attempt to overturn it occasions an universal panic -in its supporters, who immediately display all the ensigns of their -cause, the pompous, high-sounding anathemas of Scripture, to frighten -the bold invader of their a๋rial territories. So far they act -consistently; for where they have no weapons or defence from nature -and reason, fear and hope, though unfounded and delusive, are the only -expedients left. By representing the terrors of their law in the most -horrid colours, the wretched victim of their designs cries out in the -depth of despair, "Lord, what shall I do to be saved?" The work is -then in a certain way of success; the convert gives himself up to the -direction of the church in all things, and is ever after the passive -tool of its power. These converts are seldom or never made by pure -reason and sound argument, for these would never answer the purpose; but -the passions, which may be driven by every gale that blows, the fickle -and inconstant passions, are so influenced by the power of false -eloquence in violent declamations and vehement harangues, that the calm, -even voice of reason is not heard, or is disregarded, amidst the bustle -of jarring emotions; and the poor frightened wretch catches hold of the -first object that is held out to save him from his fancied perishing and -undone condition. Without ever once considering whether the profession -they embrace is founded in nature and reason, they confide wholly in the -piety of their spiritual teacher, leave their faith and hope altogether -in his hands, and trust entirely upon his promises and power. Their -belief he can alter or abolish at pleasure; for what he preaches they -must adhere to; what he allows they must profess; what he approves must -be true. - -In fact, the Christian system has never yet been weighed in the -impartial balance of reason, or received a candid trial in the thinking -world. Force, fraud, and other unfair means have always been necessarily -employed for its establishment. Had it been founded on truth, or -consistent with common sense, its advocates would never have refused to -submit it to reason, and the cool, dispassionate judgement of mankind. -But they well knew that it could never stand the test, and this would -be the certain means of its destruction. They therefore boldly and -presumptuously tell the world, that it is beyond the reach of human -reason, which is not competent to judge rightly of it. They confess that -we cannot comprehend a great part of it; but at the same time command us -to believe it, though we cannot understand it. - -It has been the peculiarly honourable lot of Thomas Paine, the firm -advocate of truth, the undaunted champion of reason, and the resolute -and unconquerable enemy of tyranny, bigotry, and prejudice, to open -the door to free and impartial enquiry. He has boldly entered the -field himself, and taught the world, that no true system of principles, -however sacred they may be held in the public opinion, and however -strongly protected and enforced by the terrors of man's vengeance -here, and eternal punishment hereafter, is too awful to be canvassed by -reason, or too sublime to be comprehended by common sense. - -The Christian system, as it is not consistent with reason, is declared -to be above it; and should be received even if it does not appear clear -and intelligible to our human capacities. - -This by prohibiting enquiry, effectually prevents detection of falsehood -and confirmation of truth. The doctrine is received upon trust, upon the -credit of our forefathers; because, they taught, or rather said so, -we must implicitly believe so, all the remonstrances of reason and -experience to the contrary notwithstanding. - -This is certainly a very great absurdity. For there once was a beginning -to every system or theory in being; and at that beginning it was -necessary to exercise reason as the unerring guide to direct in the -choice or rejection thereof. If mankind were not only allowed, but -necessitated to weigh every doctrine in the infallible balance of -reason, at any time, why are we not entitled to the same privilege -at present? Is our reason degenerated? Are our faculties impaired? -Or rather, are we not far more wise and enlightened than mankind were -centuries ago, and much more competent to understand and judge of things -than they were? By the practice before mentioned, by that tyranny over -the minds of men, which has ever been exercised in despotic states, the -grossest falsehoods have been forced upon the world for realities, and -the most detestable impositions established and maintained in all the -strength and vigour of immutable truth. - -But these arts, how long soever they may prosper, and by whatever -authority they may be supported; though they may call to their aid all -the powers of superstition and prejudices of education, and be assisted -by the pride and deceit of hypocritical bigots and mercenary tyrants; -still must they finally fall, and sink into contemptuous oblivion. The -present state of society seems peculiarly adapted to the advancement -of truth, and destruction of error. The sun of reason has begun to -appear, dispelling the thick and almost impenetrable mists of ignorance -and superstition, illuminating the most secret recesses of the mind, -and will continue to increase in splendour, till it shine forth in one -clear, unclouded, and eternal day. - -The writings of modern philosophers have served greatly to illuminate -the minds of the present generation. I will here, quote Pope's beautiful -description of that _sublime and heavenly_ religion, which mankind in -a state of nature professed, contrasted with that distorted, gloomy -religion which has been imposed on mankind by power and fraud. - - "Man, like his Maker, saw that all was right, - To virtue, in the paths of pleasure, trod, - And own'd a father when he own'd a God. - Love all the faith, and all th' allegiance then; - For Nature knew no light divine in men, - No ill could fear in God; and understood - A sov'reign being but a sov'reign good." - - - "Superstition taught the tyrant awe, - Then shar'd the tyranny, then lent it aid, - And Gods of conq'rors, slaves of subjects made: - She, 'midst the lightning's blaze and thunder's sound, - When rock'd the mountains, and when groan'd the ground, - She taught the weak to bend, the proud to pray, - To pow'r unseen, and mightier far than they: - She, from the rending earth and bursting skies, - Saw Gods descend and fiends infernal rise: - Here fix'd the dreadful, there the blest abodes; - Fear made her devils, and weak hope her gods; - Gods partial, changeful, passionate, unjust, - Whose attributes were rage, revenge, or lust; - Such as the souls of cowards might conceive, - And, form'd like tyrants, tyrants would believe. - Zeal, then, not charity, became the guide, - And hell was built on spite, and heav'n on pride. - Then sacred seeneth ethereal vault no more; - Altars grew marble then, and reek'd with gore: - Then first the Flamen tasted living food; - Next his grim idol smear'd with human blood; - With heav'n's own thunders shook the world below; - And play'd the god an engine on his foe." - -From an attentive perusal of such liberal, enlightened writers as -Pope, Locke, Hume, &c. who were not interested in forcing any unnatural -systems upon mankind, whose only aim was the happiness of the human -race, and from my own reflections, I have adopted the following _creed_, -which I here submit to the impartial consideration of my fellow-citizens -of all denominations. - -1. I believe in one God, or first cause, wise, powerful, and good; and -too far above the influence of human actions to be affected by any thing -that can be done on earth. - -2. I believe in the equality of men by nature (though so different by -accident) the universal power of conscience, and the unerring authority -of natural reason. - -3. I believe the whole duty of man is comprised in this one great -republican principle--Do just as you would be done unto.--My reasons for -believing thus are, in the first place, that this first 'cause is wise -and powerful beyond our conception, is clearly evinced in the wonderful -formation and disposition of nature, exhibited in every thing that we -have any perception of. That he is good, the whole creation proves: for -we find nothing made but what is useful, beneficial, and conducive to -the happiness of the whole. And that he is too far above the reach of -human actions to be affected by any thing that can be done on earth, is -inferred from nature, reason, and experience: for the only idea that we -can form of the Deity is, that he is a perfect, unchangeable being; and -if we suppose that he so particularly notices the conduct of mankind -as to be differently affected by their different actions, we must allow -that he is an imperfect, changeable being, liable to be pleased or vexed -at the mere will and pleasure of his creatures, and dependent upon the -whim and caprice of _man_. - -In the second place, it appears from the experience of mankind in all -ages, that Nature, in the creation of man, acts impartially and equally; -but leaves his talents, disposition, &c. to be regulated by mere -accidental circumstances. That conscience has an universal power, is -evident from the dislike and abhorrence, with which all mankind look -upon actions that tend to the injury of society. And not to believe in -the unerring authority of natural reason, would be to accuse the Deity -of injustice for not creating us capable of distinguishing good from -evil, and then punishing us for the evil we commit. - -In the third place, that the whole duty of man is comprised in this one -great republican principle, "Do as you would be done unto," has appeared -so notorious to the world in all ages, that it has been universally -agreed upon, as the unerring rule of action, and the basis of happiness: -by the observing of which there can be neither oppression, deceit, or -injustice of any kind. The duty of man is his interest; his interest is -to make himself happy; and the surest and best way of doing this is to -promote the prosperity of the whole. - -Finally, that system of religion which contradicts itself, cannot be -wholly true.--That which is not consistent with reason, or agreeable to -the order of nature, must be false, as different from the will of the -Deity, displayed in all his works:--And, that which tends to promote -discord, pride, and deceit, is prejudicial to society, and ought to be -discountenanced and opposed by every good man. - - - - -ON MIRACULOUS CONVERSIONS. - - -It appears to be the general opinion among the learned, that all matter -is, more or less, in a continual state of transmutation; that there is a -perpetual repulsion and attraction in nature. It is also the opinion of -many philosophers, that the human mind is never quite stationary. - -That locality, early habits, examples, affections, and associations have -the greatest effect in forming the characters and opinions of men, is -evident to our senses; and that after the character may be considered -to be formed, a contrary course of habits, &c. of equally long or longer -continuance will generally produce a contrary character. - -Every attentive observer must perceive, that we sometimes dislike and -entertain an unfavourable opinion of what we at another time approve and -cordially agree to. To a cursory examiner these alterations may appear -to take place arbitrarily: but to one acquainted with the philosophy -of the human mind, accustomed minutely to trace the different links and -associations which bias our ideas, they will appear, so far from being -arbitrary or supernatural, to be perfectly natural and agreeable to -the wise order of things. It would seem that most parties agree to the -reasons given by the learned for such alterations, &c., except they be -in matters of religion; here each party abandons the usual methods of -philosophising, and has recourse to the supernatural interference of -divine agency. - -That extraordinary instances of conversion from vice to virtue, from -error to truth, sometimes take place, for which the most profound and -subtle reasoners fail to give satisfactory causes, is most readily -granted; but still it may be said, that our not being able to trace a -natural cause is no proof of there being none; for past experience has -abundantly proved to the world the folly of such kind of inferences. -Many things in science and philosophy are now even demonstrable, that -formerly were, with equally good reason, considered to be miraculous or -supernatural. - -There are many reasons for considering the religious conversions not -supernatural. There are no human criteria to determine when they are -from God and when they are not. So many and so frequent impositions and -deceptions take place, that there is no distinguishing the false from -the true. - -These enlightenments are equally claimed by every sect, however -different in opinion. Now, supposing them to be from God, we are under -the necessity of believing that there can be only one sect which can -really have them; for it would be absurd to suppose the Immutable -Creator of all things would inspire his creatures to believe, as true, -opposite and different doctrines; and the confining of the divine -influence to one sect only, certainly appears to be partial and -arbitrary, and contrary to the saying, that "God is no respecter of -persons." - -People professing to be converted can never give a satisfactory -explanation of their state, either to others or themselves, so as to do -away all apprehension that they may not be actuated by impulse, fear, -affections, &c., with a variety of other natural causes which every day -make astonishing alterations in the minds of men. - -We sometimes meet with individuals who at one time considered themselves -to be inspired, and shewed every outward sign, and afterwards declare -they conceive they never were. - -Sudden and extraordinary changes frequently take place for the -worse; but these are never accounted as supernatural. It appears that -conversions most frequently take place after some circumstances which -naturally have a tendency to fix the attention, soften the affections, -affect the passions, and subdue the will; such as attending religious -discourses, the deathbed of a friend, extreme pain, poverty, and -distress, &c. Now, may not these be said to account for the first -natural link? Then why should the rest of the chain be miraculous? If -these observations were untrue, we might expect to find conversions -occur as frequently among one sort of society as among another; but that -is not the case. - -It is observable in religious as well as in other operations of the -mind, that those alterations which are the most sudden and vehement, are -generally more transient than those which take place more gradually and -after accountable associations. - -We might naturally expect that those divinely inspired would be superior -to the weaknesses of passion and imperfections of nature incidental to -others; but our converts appear not to be. These supernatural affections -are unattended with any discernibly supernatural effects; the possessors -of them never perform miracles! - -From these observations it is presumed, that there is abundant reason -for apprehending that those conversions termed supernatural are nothing -more than nature acting upon the mind of man, agreeably to those wise -and immutable laws laid down by the adorable Maker of all things; and -the reason of our terming them miraculous is, because we are unable with -our weak faculties to trace the wonderful concatenations, and view the -infinite variety of shades of which the intellectual part of man is -susceptible. At the same time it is confessed, that it being a matter of -internal feeling, and what cannot perhaps be demonstrated either way, no -arguments on the subject can be hoped of any material benefit, either to -the person who supposes himself to have it, but cannot explain it, or to -him that has it not, and cannot conceive it. - -Bristol, - -THEOPHILANTHROPIST. - -Feb. 18,1819. - - - - - -A FEW IDEAS ON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. - - -It appears, that at least 99 persons in 100 take their religious -opinions from their parents, and according to education, &c. without -ever afterwards examining for themselves. Now, as this belief arises -from causes that are variable and quite independent of the believers, -it follows, that there is no security whatever for its being true, the -chance being always against it: consequently, such persons' opinions are -of no weight in the dispute. - -A due attention to this consideration will, it is presumed, render the -number of real believers and unbelievers in Christian countries much -less unequal than at first we may be inclined to suppose. - -The evidence for Christianity is founded on probabilities by a process -of reasoning, not being intuitive or self-evident. The contrary of its -being true can easily be conceived and does not imply a contradiction. - -Owing to the different constitutions of the human mind, there always -is, more or less, a certain difference of opinion upon all subjects in -proportion to their want of self-evident proof. Then, when a subject -confessedly has it not, ought we to expect from it those universal -results which it could only produce by having it? - -That there should be many who are not satisfied with the evidence of -the Christian religion is not to be wondered at, since it is not of -that nature to produce universal acquiescence. Where then can be the -propriety of inveighing so bitterly against some for rejecting what, -according to the nature of things, all cannot be expected to receive? -Assuredly, the sin of doubting must be proportional to the evidence; -then why should we attach the same punishment for disbelieving things -that are not self-evident as we do for things that are? - -With regard to the assertions, that "'tis their pride prevents their -belief, that they make a Deity of their reason, and put themselves -in opposition to Heaven," &c. it may be seriously asked, Are these -assertors sincere in what they say, or is it merely spleen they, or any -one, for an instant conceive it to be possible for a man in his -senses, who has any idea of his Maker, or of himself, and is so deeply -interested in the subject, to act in such a way? - -There may be some reason for considering that doctrine to be false which -might cause us to think existence a curse, rather than a blessing, and -to entertain views inconsistent with the Divine Nature. - -If the orthodox opinions be correct, how few among professors really -profess! How small a proportion of mankind profess at all! It follows, -according to even probability, that the number of the saved will be -extremely small in proportion to that which is lost. Then, when a child -is born, according to the laws of chances, there are very great odds -against its being saved. Query, Whether it be a blessing to be born, to -run any risk at all of endless misery, even were they very contrary of -what they appear to be, greatly in favour of everlasting bliss? - -Bristol, - -THEOPHILANTHROPIST. - -Feb. 18,1810. - - - - -DEISM EXAMINED - -By A Christian - - -It has often been said, that if Christianity is not competent to -withstand the test of reason, it ought to fall. - -To this opinion I willingly subscribe; and so confident am I of our -succeeding against our adversaries, the Deists, that I am for truly -putting Christianity to this trial. That is, I would that there should -be allowed as perfectly free discussion in all theological matters, -that the "Age of Reason," and other works of a similar nature, should be -allowed to be published. Let the enemies of our religion bring forward -their objections as fast as they like; have we not, or our part, a ready -refutation for every one of them? - -The Deists, I know, have strongly contended, that many actions recorded -in the Bible, said to have been done by the express command of God, are -shocking to humanity, and in contradiction to all our ideas of moral -justice. Such as putting whole nations to the sword; sparing neither age -nor infancy; utterly destroying men, women, and children; leaving not a -soul to breathe, &c. &c. But does not the Bishop of Llandaff reconcile -this seeming incongruity, and vindicate the morality of the sacred -writings by explaining, that, as the Almighty constantly superintends -all the actions of nature, and in so doing permits, or rather causes -smiling infants so to be swallowed up by earthquakes, or destroyed by -other natural means; it is evident that these shocking transactions (as -they are called) recorded in the Bible, do not militate in the least -against the character of the Deity. The unbelievers certainly may bring -a puerile argument against this profound assertion of the Bishop's; -but the Christian who truly appreciates the real value of an unwavering -_faith_, will have for such argument a thorough contempt, even before he -reads it. They may tell us, if they choose, that nature being actuated -by general and unvarying laws, it is not to be supposed the Almighty, in -order to save a human creature, will perform a miracle. Or (to state -the case more particularly) if a society of human beings will be so -unthinking and imprudent, as to make their residence at the bottom of -Mount Vesuvius, or Etna, that the Creator will partially suspend the -laws of nature, in order that the burning lavas may not overwhelm them -in destruction; or, that if mortals will be so presumptuous as to -build their dwellings on the site of former desolations, as Lisbon for -instance, that the Almighty will interpose, in order to prevent the -recurrence of another earthquake; or that God will in any case partially -suspend the eternal laws of the universe, in order to preserve a mortal -that may be accidentally liable to be destroyed by their effects. They -may tell us all this if they choose, and likewise, that this is quite -another thing, to an express command from God himself to one set of -human beings to annihilate another.--Thus we refute it all: such -arguments are built on _human reason_, which it behoves every pious -Christian to distrust! - -Let them assert, that Jesus Christ himself, (if there was such a -person) has proved the delusion he laboured under, since he actually and -distinctly predicted, in more places than one, that his second coming -would be in the days of the last surviving apostles, and that the -apostles themselves sufficiently shew by their writings, that such was -their opinion. Let them descant upon the description of his coming in -the clouds (as related in the gospel) with the trumpets sounding before -him, and call it a mere representation of human pageantry, and unworthy -of being imputed to the Almighty Creator, who has millions of millions -of worlds at his command! We thus refute the first part of this -misrepresentation. Jesus, after predicting the destruction of Jerusalem, -as we find it now related, speaks of his second coming, and gives a -description how he will appear in the clouds, with the angels sounding -their trumpets before him, &c. &c. and then continues thus: "Verily -I say unto you, _this generation shall not pass away, till all these -things be fulfilled._" Now it is evident, that this last verse can -only allude to the destruction of Jerusalem, and that the passage is -misplaced by many sentences. It is true, we have no vouchers for this, -nor can we perceive what instance there could have been for any one -to have made the alteration; but as more than seventeen centuries have -revolved since the death of Christ, and no second coming yet taken -place, we are fully justified in maintaining the passage to be -misplaced. - -The Deists accuse us of all along suppressing their works, and -certainly, in this respect, I must acknowledge we have acted unfairly. -They say that most of the ancient productions on their side the -question are lost; while the answers to them are still extant. From this -circumstance they infer, designing and superstitious monks and priests, -in order to remove every thing out of the way that might militate -against their doctrine, destroyed all the writings of their opponents, -while they carefully preserved those of their own party. It is likewise -affirmed, the book entitled the Age of Reason, is a more formidable -enemy to Christianity than any work ever before published, and -threatens, should it become popular, to shake its flimsy fabric (for -thus they speak of our religion) to its very foundation; that the charge -of blasphemy is brought against it to suppress it, solely from fear of -this consequence, and that our oft repeated assertion, "if Christianity -cannot withstand the test of reason it ought to fall," is a mere -mockery, for, in fact, we fully prove our intention is, never to bring -our doctrine to such a tribunal. I am very sorry that this last charge -against us is not altogether unfounded. Why should not the arguments of -our opponents be allowed to be published? their authors would very -soon, I am fully persuaded, meet with a total discomfiture, and find our -Polemics more than competent to justify their own cause. - -Every one knows that Mr. Paine was illiterate, that is, he only knew his -own language perfectly, and had a smattering of French. Now, have we -not bishops, deacons, lecturers, curates, &c. who are acquainted with -Hebrew, Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin, and several other tongues, living -as well as dead; and surely, it would be strange, if, with all -this various learning, aided by their laborious researches into the -antiquated writings of the primitive Christians, (those credible -attesters of _miracles and witchcraft_,) that they should not be able to -overturn such a paltry antagonist as Thomas Paine; who, alas! made use -of no other weapon but _human reason_; who ridiculed _Faith_ as a mere -_chimera_; and maintained, that a strict observance of _moral virtue_ -constituted the only worship that was in _reality_ pleasing to the -Deity. Physiologists have asserted, I know, that the human brain is only -capable of a certain degree of active energy, and that every additional -talent we may acquire must be gained at the expence of all the other -powers; and that, consequently, he who is familiar with a variety of -languages cannot possibly think very profoundly in any, the whole of -his intellect being absorbed, and the pure ideal part of it absolutely -extinguished, in the complicated matter of grammatical construction, and -the endless labour of committing to memory the various characters and -innumerable quantity of words necessary for obtaining such knowledge. On -the other hand, it is boldly averred, that he who knows his own language -perfectly, and no other, may become, as it were, in his very essence, -a compound of thought and reflection, capable of drawing, from the -luminous stores of his own understanding alone, arguments that shall put -to flight all the scholastic quibbling of the mere Christian linguist, -causing the gloom engendered by his subtilties to vanish like mist -before the sun. - -The Deists accuse us of disturbing the last moments of the virtuous, and -terrifying their imaginations with the prospect of eternal damnation. -They say, that when such infatuated persons (whose bodily weakness -renders them more than childish) become overwhelmed with the dreadful -picture, and give way to the weakness of humanity, that we then infer, -they had a proper sense of the enormity of their guilt before they died; -and that we then exclaim, in the gloomy pomposity of the fanatic Young, - - "Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die!" - -This quotation, when applied to the case in question, the Deists -maintain to be unjust, and are for making a new reading, as being rather -more applicable, viz. - - "Men may live wisely, but fools they often die!" - -"Shame!" the Deists cry, "forbear to disturb the departing moralist with -your strange dogmas! His sole trust is in his Creator, therefore let his -last hours be spent in peace! Your interference is useless, and as it -adds to the sufferings of expiring humanity, may well be termed impious -and cruel. And further, what conviction can be gained from making public -the imbecile and terror-extorted confessions made by the dying; for as -Rousseau rightly observes, it is 'our reason that determines our -belief, and when, through sickness, that faintly becomes impaired, what -dependence can be placed on any opinion we may then adopt?'" All this -seems at the first glance very striking and imposing, but is easily -refuted. I shall confine myself, however, to only answering the latter -part of the above. I maintain, then, that even shouting our dogmas in -the ears of the dying,1 and thereby disturbing their last moments, is -a mere trifle, when put in competition with the eternal advantages -that may by this means accrue to their souls. It is well known, that -Christians formerly, more generally than at present, did not scruple -to compel men to become converts; and when the heretics, as they were -termed, obstinately held out, they actually burnt them for _the love -of Christ!_ This manner of proceeding Dr. Paley has, in some measure, -justified, 2 by affirming, that as the salvation of the soul is a matter -of infinitely more importance than the well-being of the body, so these -_converters_, who actually believed salvation to exclusively depend on -the reception of their dogmas, may be said to be in some sort excusable, -for endeavouring by all the means within their power to save a man's -soul, though his body, in consequence, might be devoted to the flames. - - 1 Vide Life of M. de Voltaire. - - 2 Vide Haley's Evidences of Christianity, Part III. Chap. - vii. - - -Some, I know, would go further, and urge, that even the burning of -those who _were_ converted by the threats of the holy fathers, was -not impolitic, since it may be justified as the above principle, of -preferring the welfare of the soul to that of the body. For might not -a new-made convert, made so against the evidence of his own reason, -recant, and thus render all the pious zeal of those _soul-preservers_ -quite abortive? Nothing more likely, and therefore to make sure of his -eternal felicity, they were equally excusable in committing him to -the flames. A similar principle influenced the pious Monk towards the -unfortunate Jew, as related in a well-known but somewhat ancient story, -concluding with these lines: - - "Drag, drag me out--I freeze--I die." - "Your peace, my friend, is made on high; - Full absolution here I give; - Saint Peter will your soul receive: - Wash'd clean from sin, and duly shriven, - New converts always go to heaven; - No hour for death so fit as this; - Thus, thus I launch you into bliss!" - So said--the Father in a trice - His convert launch'd beneath the ice. - - -But enough of this bringing forward accusations and objections of the -Deists, and answering them myself. Let them be brought against us in -the regular way, and we will readily refute them. In fact, there will -be some novelty in such an occupation to many of our divines, who -have passed many years in the continued sameness of preaching to -congregations who are much too passive and obedient ever to dissent a -single syllable from the doctrine laid down. It is now several years -since our Doctors of Divinity really exerted their talents, viz. -ever since the first publicacation of the Age of Reason. I think it -downright inconsistency for our authorities to prosecute those who -publish works of this kind, seeing those works absolutely benefit -Christianity. For did not the above production give rise to innumerable -answers, each of which was sufficient in itself, to prove the divine -origin and infalibillity of the sacred Scriptures! Read Bishop Watson's -Apology for the Bible, for instance, a work _replete with genius_; -a work which will confer lasting honour on its reverend author; and -wherein we cannot perceive the _least traces_ of what our adversaries -term _priestcraft_, and not a _single sentence_ which may be called _a -quibble_. Another answer to the Age of Reason, by a _wit_, named Robert -Thompson, also deserves to be made honourable mention of, as being -neither _scurrilous nor contemptible_; as does likewise an answer, by a -layman of the name of Padman, a work of vast _profundity_, and in which -there is not to be found any _perversion or pitiful misrepresentation of -passages_ in Mr. Paine's book. Should these two last gentlemen be -still in existence, and chance to peruse this, they will be extremely -grateful, I am sure, for my thus noticing them; but they may reserve all -thanks, for the encomiums I have passed upon them are nothing more than -their real deserts. 1 But to conclude. Seeing, I say, that deistical -works are beneficial to our holy and only true religion, by making -its ministers exert their talents, let them be printed and freely -circulated, and in so doing we shall no longer lay under the vile odium -of being oppressors and persecutors for righteousness sake. - -A firm Believer in the only true God, and a future state of Retribution. - -London, - -Jan. 30, 1819. - - 1 There is also a Mr. S. Thompson, a member of the sect - called "Free Thinking Christians," who in a work entitled - "Evidences of Revealed Religion on a new Plan," has - attempted to answer some of the objections of Mr. Paine; but - as his arguments, though said to be quite inconclusive, have - too much the appearance of human reason, I have not thought - proper to mention him as a person who has much benefited our - cause; and especially as I understand that "implicit faith" - forms no part of the creed of the above sect. - - -THE END. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Thoughts on the Christian Religion by -a Deist, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION *** - -***** This file should be named 40983-8.txt or 40983-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/9/8/40983/ - -Produced by David Widger - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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