Produced by Freethought Archives GOOD SENSE WITHOUT GOD: OR FREETHOUGHTS OPPOSED TO SUPERNATURAL IDEAS By Baron D'holbach "Freethinker's Library" Series London: W. Stewart & Co. A Translation Of Baron D'holbach's "Le Bon Sens" Transcriber's note: this e-text is based on an undated English translation of "Le Bon Sens" published c. 1900. The name of the translator was not stated. "_Atheism_ leaves men to Sense, to Philosophy, to Laws, to Reputation, all which may be guides to moral Virtue, tho' Religion were not: but Superstition dismounts all these, and erects an absolute Monarchy in the Minds of Men. Therefore, Atheism did never perturb States; but Superstition hath been the confusion of many. The causes of Superstition are pleasing and sensual rights, and Ceremonies; Excess of Pharisaical and outside holiness, Reverence to Traditions and the stratagems of Prelates for their own Ambition and Lucre."--_Lord Bacon._ CONTENTS 1. APOLOGUE 2. What is Theology? 3. What is Theology? 4. Man is not born with any ideas of Religion 5. It is not necessary to believe in a God 6. Religion is founded on credulity 7. All religion is an absurdity 8. The idea of God is impossible 9. On the Origin of Superstition 10. On the Origin of all Religion 11. Religious fears expose men to become a prey to imposters 12. Religion seduces ignorance by the aid of the marvellous 13. Religion seduces ignorance by the aid of the marvellous 14. No Religion, if not ages of Stupidity and Barbarism 15. All Religion was produced by the desire of domination 16. What serves as a basis to Religion is most uncertain 17. It is impossible to be convinced of the existence of a God 18. It is impossible to be convinced of the existence of a God 19. The existence of God is not proved 20. It explains nothing to say, that God is a spirit 21. Spirituality is an absurdity 22. Whatever exists is derived from Matter 23. What is the metaphysical God of modern Theology? 24. Less unreasonable to adore the Sun, than adore a spiritual Deity 25. A spiritual Deity is incapable of volition and action 26. What is God? 27. Some remarkable Contradictions in Theology 28. To adore God, is to adore a fiction 29. Atheism is authorised by the infinity of God 30. Believing not safer than not believing in God 31. Belief in God is a habit acquired in infancy 32. Belief in God is a prejudice ov successive generations 33. On the Origin of Prejudices 34. On the effects of Prejudices 35. Theology must be instilled before the age of reason 36. The wonders of nature do not prove the existence of God 37. Nature may be explained by natural causes 38. Nature may be explained by natural causes 39. The world has never been created: Matter moves of itself 40. The world has never been created: Matter moves of itself 41. Motion is essential to Matter: no Spiritual Mover