A handbook of Freethought : $b containing in condensed and systematized form a vast amount of evidence against the superstitious doctrines of Christianity
Religion
A handbook of Freethought : $b containing in condensed and systematized form a vast amount of evidence against the superstitious doctrines of Christianity
Christianity -- Controversial literature; Free thought
He does not make even an apology or an explanation. No wonder, then,
that the people became alarmed at this and asked him to go on his
journey with as little delay as possible: "The whole city came out
to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would
depart out of their coasts." (Mat. 8 : 34.)
Another instance of this lack of the sense of justice is displayed
in the parable of Dives and Lazarus. The one goes to heaven, that
is, to Abraham's bosom, because he was poor, and the other to hell,
because he was rich. Say what we may our civilization is built upon
wealth. Civilization, the highest and noblest estate of man, is
achieved by the utter repudiation of poverty. The legitimate love of
money is the spur of all human progress. Civilization would speedily
degenerate into barbarism if this respect for property was removed.
His views of poverty are in harmony with his teachings on other
human interests: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth;"
"Take no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself." How evident it is that one of the most
essential virtues of life is here repudiated.
Thoughtfulness about the future is a distinguishing trait of a wise
man. To take no thought for the morrow would be as foolish as for one
to bind himself hand and foot on the approach of his enemy. Science
inspires man with earnest inquiry about the morrow, and also enables
him by his perception of it how better to live to-day.
"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee,
turn not thou away." (Mat. 5 : 42.) Society as it now exists would not
last a single day if his command were obeyed. Borrowing and lending
is poor business, even as it is now carried on, but what it would
become under the universal practice it would be impossible to guess.
"And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have
ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But
love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing
again." (Luke 6 : 34.) So impracticable a precept is this, that no
people have ever practiced it, nor could it be carried out without
the demoralization and overthrow of civilization.
Jesus Teaches the Duty of Submission to Wrong.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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