Christianity in relation to Freethought, Scepticism, and Faith: Three discourses by the Bishop of Peterborough with special replies by Mr. C. BradlaughBradlaugh, Charles
Religion
Christianity in relation to Freethought, Scepticism, and Faith: Three discourses by the Bishop of Peterborough with special replies by Mr. C. Bradlaugh
The circular states that the Discourses are to be “directed against
modern forms of infidelity,” and have for their object the “vindication
and establishment of the Christian faith,” but I assume your ultimate
object is the vindication and establishment of truth—no matter what the
truth may be. If my assumption be correct, I heartily sympathise with
your object, and as a Sceptic or Infidel, will co-operate with my
Christian brethren if permitted.
May I call your attention to a practical difficulty in the way of the
scheme, which I fear you have not sufficiently considered? In the
present state of opinion, or rather in the absence of real opinion, on
these subjects, Sceptics or Infidels cannot always insure the attention
of Christian hearers, or of persons indifferent to the subject of their
discourses, but these and not the confirmed Infidels, are the persons the
zealous Sceptic most desires to reach. I imagine your difficulty is the
same. You want to get at the mighty mass who know and care nothing about
these questions, and also at the Infidel whose opinions you deem so
mischievous. The fact is, the great mass and the Infidel are not likely
to attend unless their attention be in some manner especially drawn to
the Discourses, but you will probably have a large congregation of
believing Christians, whose faith may be confirmed, but yet who do not
hold opinions you wish to change.
I beg to suggest a mode by which I think the difficulty may be removed,
and an interest created that will be useful to the cause of truth—to
Christian truth, if Christianity be true—but to truth, whether
Christianity be true or false.
I intend to invite to Norwich some person who shall be well known as a
representative exponent “of modern forms of Infidelity,” and request him
to deliver a course of lectures at about the same time, and on the same
subject as that chosen by the Bishop of Peterborough, and if you think it
would be useful to give the public the opportunity of reading as well as
hearing the discourses, both expositions of the subject might be
published together, and more extensively circulated and read, in
consequence of the greater interest that would be thus created.
I have always scrupulously abstained from doing anything to influence the
politics or religion of persons in my employment, but in accordance with
your wish, I will take care to inform them all of the Discourses, and
also acquaint them with the high reputation which the Bishop of
Peterborough enjoys as a preacher.
I should be willing to subscribe for 200 copies of the joint publication,
which will enable me to present one to every man and boy in my
employment, who is willing to accept it, and the remainder I shall be
happy to distribute according to the suggestion of the circular.
I am, Rev. Sir, your obedient servant,
ROBERT A. COOPER.
The Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn,
Dean of Norwich.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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