Robert Green Ingersoll
Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
SOMEBODY ought to tell the truth about the Bible. The preachers dare not, because they would be driven from their pulpits. Professors in colleges dare not, because they would lose their salaries. Politicians dare not. They would be defeated. Editors dare not. They would lose subscribers. Merchants dare not, because they might lose customers. Men of fashion dare not, fearing that they would lose caste. Even clerks dare not, because they might be discharged.
And so I thought I would do it myself.
And so begins About the Holy Bible, by Robert Green Ingersoll. I was recently turned on to Ingersoll, a 19th century lawyer and freethinker, on an episode of Freethought Radio. Dan Barker read one of his works on the absurdity of the Holy Trinity over the air and it inspired me to check him out. I became fascinated with his writing, both in style and content, and with his clear-headed devotion to liberty and science and his vehement hatred of lying clergy and tyrants.
His works are now in the public domain and can be read freely here. I encourange everyone to read About the Holy Bible and Myth and Miracle. I think once you read those, however, you’ll be ready for more.
FACT: Chuck Norris is expected to win gold in every swimming competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, even though Chuck Norris does not swim. This is because when Chuck Norris enters the water, the water gets out of his way and Chuck Norris simply walks across the pool floor.
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