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
expense of my adherence to the principles I had adopted. Many persons
who would not have spoken to me before came and expressed regret at what
had happened, and I met with many instances of regard from persons who
had formerly despised those with whom I acted.
I was indebted to the _Odd-Fellow_ of July 23, then edited by Eben
Jones, author of 'Studies of Sensation and Event,' for the fairest
statement of my conduct and of the point in question, which the press
gave. It was thus expressed:--
We cannot refrain from saying, that under the peculiar circumstances,
Mr. Holyoake (presuming his disbelief in a God to be sincere) could not
have said other than he did say, and at the same time have continued
honest. It is true he was not asked, 'Do you believe in a God?' but a
question was put to him which assumed his belief in a God, and had he
not testified at once his disbelief, he would have sanctioned the false
assumption: and if not a liar, would have been at least the permitter of
a lie; between which is no distinction recognised by an honourable man.
In arguing thus we would not express any sympathy whatever with Mr.
Holyoake's atheism, we are merely concerned to show that it was not Mr.
Holyoake's right alone, but absolutely his duty, to say that 'he did
not believe in a God.' It was his duty, if it be the duty of man to be
honest; he could not have spoken otherwise, unless he had 'lied against
his heart,' and lied towards mankind.
The next number of the aforesaid _Cheltenham Chronicle_ brought me this
further notice:--
Holyoake the Blasphemous Socialist Lecturer.--In reference to a
paragraph which appeared in the last _Chronicle_ regarding this monster,
the magistrates read the article alluded to, and expressed their opinion
that it was a clear case of blasphemy. In order to check the further
progress of his pernicious doctrines, the superintendent of police was
ordered to use every exertion to bring him to justice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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