"With one single exception, the parables attributed to Jesus are thoroughly religious and decidedly inferior in their moral tone, besides possessing minor faults. The God who is to be the object of our adoration and imitation is depicted to us as a judge who will grant vengeance in answer to incessant prayer, as a father who loves and honors the favorite prodigal and neglects the faithful and obedient worker, as an employer who pays no more for a life-time than for the nominal service of a death-bed repentance, as an unreasonable master who reaps where he has not sown and punishes men because he made them defective and gave them no instructions, as a harsh despot who delivers disobedient servants to tormentors and massacres those who object to his rule, as a judge who is merciful to harlots and relentless towards unbelievers, as a petulant king who drives beggars and outcasts into the heaven which is ignored by the wise and worthy, as a ruler of the universe who freely permits his enemy the devil to sow evil and then punishes his victims, as a God who plunges men in the flames of hell and calmly philosophizes over the reward of the blest who from Abraham's bosom behold the sight and are not permitted to bestow even so much as a drop of cold water to cool the parched tongues of their fellow-creatures amidst hopeless and unending agonies, in comparison with which all earthly sufferings are but momentary dreams." 582 What did he teach regarding submission to theft and robbery? "Of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again" (Luke vi, 30). 583 Why was the woman taken in adultery released without punishment? John: Because those having her in custody were not without sin themselves (viii, 3-11). The adoption of this principle would require the liberation of every criminal, because all men are fallible. If man cannot punish crime because not free from sin himself, is it just in God, the author of all sin, to punish man for his sins? 584 Whom did he pronounce blessed? "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matthew v, 3). "Is poverty of spirit a blessing? Surely not. Manliness of spirit, honesty of spirit, fulness of rightful purpose, these are virtues; but poverty of spirit is a crime."--Bradlaugh. 585 Did he teach resistance to wrong? "Unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other" (Luke vi, 29). "He who courts oppression shares the crime." Lord Amberley, referring to this teaching of Jesus, says: "A doctrine more convenient for the purposes of tyrants and malefactors of every description it would be difficult to invent" (Analysis of Religious Belief, p. 355). 586 He taught his hearers to return good for evil. Did he do this himself? "I pray for them [his followers], I pray not for the world" (John xvii, 9). "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father" (Matthew x, 33). 587 The Golden Rule has been ascribed to Christ. Was he its author?