The History of the Last Trial by Jury for Atheism in England: A Fragment of Autobiography Submitted for the Perusal of Her Majesty's Attorney-General and the British ClergyHolyoake, George Jacob
Philosophy
The History of the Last Trial by Jury for Atheism in England: A Fragment of Autobiography Submitted for the Perusal of Her Majesty's Attorney-General and the British Clergy
Holyoake, George Jacob
Atheism -- England; Holyoake, George Jacob, 1817-1906 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Blasphemy) -- England
But I would draw your attention to a printed report of remarks, made by
his lordship, in his charge to the grand jury upon my case, I do not for
a moment believe that his lordship had other than fair intentions, but,
unfortunately, his remarks will have a contrary effect on those who
have to judge my case. I have in my hand the _Cheltenham Chronicle_, of
Wednesday last, August 10th, from which I will read. 'These offences,'
he said, referring to the cases of blasphemy, 'lay at the root of all
the crime which prevailed, and a consideration of the causes out
of which they sprung pointed to the only efficient remedy for their
removal. In the case of Holyoake, his lordship observed that a work
called the _Oracle of Reason_ had been printed and circulated containing
language which he did not think it right to repeat; language in which
the writer traced all the evil which existed in the world, not to the
real cause--the evil passions of the human heart--but to the existence
of Christianity itself. This was followed by the most opprobrious
language'--
Mr. Justice Erskine (interrupting). I never said anything of that
kind--that printed report is entirely incorrect.
Mr. Holyoake. I will read some notes of your lordship's charge, taken
at the time of its delivery by a reporter. But whether the report in the
_Chronicle_ is correct or incorrect, it has had its influence in leading
the public, and probably this jury, to a prejudgment of my case.
'There are other charges which seem at once to lead the mind to the
consideration of the root of all the evil which forms the subject of our
present consideration. I allude to two charges of blasphemy. In one the
accused is said to have sold and published a paper called the _Oracle of
Reason_ containing language which I shall not think it right to read, in
which the writer traces the evils at present existing, not to the evil
passions of man, but to the existence of Christianity, and follows it
up with the most opprobrious language to the Saviour and his system,
charging him with being the occasion of all the crime and misery which
prevail. The second charge is against a man who gave a lecture, in the
course of which he discussed the proper way of teaching man his duty
to his neighbour. A person _suggested_ that he had said nothing about
teaching man his duty to his God. That led to a statement which shows
the folly of the person; and he followed it up by making use of such
language that, if you believe it was intended to have destroyed the
reverence for God, he has subjected himself to punishment. There is
another thing--he does not appear to have intended to discuss this; but
if you are convinced that, by what he has said, he intended to bring
religion into contempt, he is guilty of blasphemy. If such addresses had
been directed to the educated classes, it might have been thought they
would remedy themselves; but when they are delivered among persons
not educated, the greatest danger might be expected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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