The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12): Dresden Edition—MiscellanyIngersoll, Robert Green
Religion
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12): Dresden Edition—Miscellany
Ingersoll, Robert Green
Free thought
Now, what has a man the right to say about that? Has he the right to
show that the book of Revelation got into the canon by one vote, and one
only? Has he the right to show that they passed in convention upon what
books they would put in and what they would not? Has he the right
to show that there were twenty-eight books called "The Books of the
Hebrew's"? Has he the right to show that? Has he the right to show that
Martin Luther said he did not believe there was one solitary word of
gospel in the Epistle to the Romans? Has he the right to show that some
of these books were not written till nearly two hundred years afterward?
Has he the right to say it, if he believes it? I do not say whether this
is true or not, but has a man the right to say it if he believes it?
Suppose I should read the Bible all through right here in Morristown,
and after I got through I should make up my mind that it is not a true
book--what ought I to say? Ought I to clap my hand over my mouth and
start for another State, and the minute I got over the line say, "It is
not true, It is not true"? Or, ought I to have the right and privilege
of saying right here in New Jersey, "My fellow-citizens, I have read
the book--I do not believe that it is the word of God"? Suppose I read
it and think it is true, then I am bound to say so. If I should go to
Turkey and read the Koran and make up my mind that it is false, you
would all say that I was a miserable poltroon if I did not say so.
By force you can make hypocrites--men who will agree with you from the
teeth out, and in their hearts hate you. We want no more hypocrites.
We have enough in every community. And how are you going to keep from
having more? By having the air free,--by wiping from your statute books
such miserable and infamous laws as this.
"_The Holy Scriptures_."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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