A fact, inconsistent with the creed, is denounced as a lie, and the man who declares or announces the fact is a blasphemer. Every professor breathes the air of insincerity. Every one is mentally dishonest. Every one is a pious fraud. Theology is the only dishonest science--the only one that is based on belief--on credulity,--the only one that abhors investigation, that despises thought and denounces reason. All the great theologians in the Catholic Church have denounced reason as the light furnished by the enemy of mankind--as the road that leads to perdition. All the great Protestant theologians, from Luther to the orthodox clergy of our time, have been the enemies of reason. All orthodox churches of all ages have been the enemies of science. They attacked the astronomers as though they were criminals--the geologists as though they were assassins. They regarded physicians as the enemies of God--as men who were trying to defeat the decrees of Providence. The biologists, the anthropologists, the archaeologists, the readers of ancient inscriptions, the delvers in buried cities, were all hated by the theologians. They were afraid that these men might find something inconsistent with the Bible. The theologians attacked those who studied other religions. They insisted that Christianity was not a growth--not an evolution--but a revelation. They denied that it was in any way connected with any natural religion. The facts now show beyond all doubt that all religions came from substantially the same source--but there is not an orthodox Christian theologian who will admit the facts. He must defend his creed--his revelation. He cannot afford to be honest. He was not educated in an honest school. He was not taught to be honest. He was taught to believe and to defend his belief, not only against argument but against facts. There is not a theologian in the whole world who can produce the slightest, the least particle of evidence tending to show that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Where is the evidence that the book of Ruth was written by an inspired man? Where is the evidence that God is the author of the Song of Solomon? Where is the evidence that any human being has been inspired? Where is the evidence that Christ was and is God? Where is the evidence that the places called heaven and hell exist? Where is the evidence that a miracle was ever wrought? There is none. Theology is entirely independent of evidence. Where is the evidence that angels and ghosts--that devils and gods exist? Have these beings been seen or touched? Does one of our senses certify to their existence? The theologians depend on assertions. They have no evidence. They claim that their inspired book is superior to reason and independent of evidence.