A legacy, to the friends of free discussion : being a review of the principal historical facts and personages of the books known as The Old and New Testament, with remarks on the morality of nature

Front matter

Glass _I

Book J!) 4r

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Preface

In the following pages the author has freely discussed the claims of the books called the Old and New Testaments, to be considered Divine revelations. He had a right so to do; and in presenting the work to the public he gives the result of his exercise of such right.

The right of free discussion has been questioned. It would be well for humanity if this were all ; but unhappily, the pages of history are replete with deeds of persecution and cruelty, committed by men, in the possession of power, on their less fortunate fellow-men, who have presumed to exercise the right of free investigation. Cupidity has drawn a line of demarcation; it has established boundaries for thought; and miserable has been the fate of the unhappy wretch who, rejoicing hi the dignity of his nature, and anxious to discover the abode of Truth, has dared to pass the Rubicon.

What is Free Discussion % We answer, it is the exercise of the reasoning faculties. Without Free Discussion man cannot exist. His physical existence might indeed remain ; but he could no longer be deemed a man ; and would have to take a lower rank in the scale of creation.

Without investigation it is impossible to arrive at Truth ; hence the utility of ^Free Discussion. This is never denied when science is the subject ; and we have yet to learn why it should be restrained in any case; and also how and when any set of men became possessed of the right to restrain the exercise of the reasoning faculties of their fellow-men.

When men have not been impelled by cupidity to shackle the minds of their fellow beings, a spirit of uncharitableness has induced them to pursue the same line of conduct. Whoever has maintained an opinion contrary to theirs, has been considered as being actuated, not by mistaken, but, by dishonest motives ; and has therefore been deemed a fit subject for punishment. As this work will probably be read by many professing Christians we will here give an extract from Dr. Blair's sermon on Candor, which will, probably, make a greater impression than any thing we could offer on that subject.

IV PREFACE.

" It is one of the misfortunes of our present situation, that some of the cood dispositions of human nature are apt to betray us into frailties and vices. Thus it often happens, that the laudable attachment which we contract to the country, or the church, to which we belong, or to some political denomination under which we class ourselves, both confines our affections within too narrow a sphere, and gives rise to violent prejudices against such as come under an opposite description. Not contented with being in the right ourselves, we must find all others in the wrong. We claim an exclusive possession of goodness and wisdom : and from approving warmly of those who join us, we proceed to condemn, with much acrimony, not only the principles, but the characters, of those from whom we differ. Hence, persons of well disposed minds are too often, through the strength of partial good affection, involved in the crime of uncharitable judgment. They rashly extend to every individual the severe opinion which they have unwarrantably conceived of a whole body. This man is of a party whose principles we reckon slavish ; and therefore his whole sentiments are corrupted. That man belongs to a religious sect which we are accustomed to deem bigoted ; and therefore he is incapable of any generous or liberal thought. Another is connected with a sect which we have been taught to account relaxed ; and therefore he can have no sanctity. — Are these the judgments of candor and charity 1 Is true piety or virtue so very limited in its nature, as to be confined to such alone as see every thing with our eyes, and follow exactly the train of our ideas'? "

The author disclaims any intention of wounding the feelings of those who hold opinions different to his own. For the religious hypocrite he has no bowels of compassion : but the sincere believer in Divine revelation, whose conduct is regulated by the universally acknowledged rules of morality, is to him an object of sincere respect and esteem.

Many things connected with what is called Divine revelation, have been very freely commented on by the author : and sometimes in a style which the Christian world will probably be disposed to condemn ; but it should be remembered that what appears sacred to one, excites the ridicule of others. The Pagan venerates his manufactured god j the Christian views it with contempt and indignation.

The object of the author has been the promotion of Truth and Benevolence. Should he fail to produce the effects he has contemplated, he will yet be able to console himself with the reflection, that he has been actuated by good intentions. The time has been when the assertion was frequently made that "hell was paved with good intentions," had the work appeared at that time, the author would, doubtless, have been destined, so far as human agency could effect it, to become one of the paving stones of that remarkable edifice : but a brighter day has dawned upon

PREFACE. ^

the world ; Reason is asserting her right to empire ; and the cheering spirit of benevolence is animating the nations of the earth.

The shades of life's evening admonish the author that his sojourn in the world will very shortly be brought to a close. He is anxious, therefore, before his departure, to cast in his mite for the eradication of human suffering, and the promotion of human felicity ; and then, in wrapping himself in the mantle of universal benevolence, to retire from the transitory scene, in charity with all men.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.

The main object of this book is to show that Jehovah, the God of the Jews, is not the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, but a fictitious being, having no real existence whatever. If the above position be correct, it follows, that the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is not a Divine Revelation. But that the reader may see, more clearly, upon what uncertain ground divine revelation rests, the plan pursued in the following chapters will be a review of the facts and personages as recorded in the Old and New Testaments. But the limits of this work will only admit of a mere scantling of what might be written on the subject.

In most Christian countries (America excepted,) this work would be answered by either fine or imprisonment, or probably both. But fortunately for the cause of truth and free discussion, theological power here is so happily balanced, that persecution for religious opinions is impracticable. The period therefore has arrived, in this country in particular, when reason is free from the former obstacles that every where crossed its path. Now, then, is the time for us to examine the religion of our forefathers, and explore the regions of human credulity* A mixture of pain and pleasure will be the result : —pain, in considering what suffering has befallen the human family, when the laudable indulgence of imagining and reasoning was considered rebellion against God ; and pleasure, to us who, having escaped those dreadful evils which in former ages spread terror throughout the world, can lessen the evils that surround us, and augment to an almost unlimited degree our happiness.

To those who may have the moral courage to read the following pages, I would say, I have neither a desire to shock their feelings, nor any wish to change their sentiments in order to gratify my vanity j for had Chris* tianity been productive of " peace on earth and good will towards men." I should have been the last to have opposed it, But on the contrary, the page of religious history is blotted with human gore. The intolerant spirit that pervades the Old and New Testaments, has so innoculated its followers of every sect, that while they profess to love each other for Christ's sake, one sect (the strongest) has put to death a weaker sect for

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.

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God's sake. Nothing short of convincing men that the Bible is not a divine revelation, can or will guarantee posterity against a recurrence of those scenes of horror, at the very thought of which, the heart sickens.

From the pulpit, and in religious works, nothing is more common than to exclaim with horror at the unblushing Infidel, Unblushing Infidel ! What cause have Infidels to blush % The blush, if any, ought to be on the face of the Christians of every sect. They have never failed to persecute when in power ; they have been guilty of cruelties, at which the savage cannibal would weep, and this will ever be the case so long as the Bible is considered as coming from God; because, till all consequence is taken away from faith, and transferred to moral rectitude, persecution is the effect of believing that faith is the sure passport to glory, while unbelief is the broad road to perdition. Men cease to be Christians when they lose this spirit of intolerance, and become Infidels.

Sects are not alike intolerant; but all are in some degree. The Calvinists will not permit the Unitarians to preach in their churches. The Unitarians, or'Universalists, will not permit an Infidel lecturer to speak in their churches, — no, not even on moral subjects. Christians, then, will always be more or less of a persecuting disposition, and nothing but giving up the Bible, as a Divine revelation, will destroy that spirit. To show how a profession of Christianity, unfits men to do justice to those who differ from them in religion, I will refer to the treatment of Thomas Paine, author of " Common Sense.' 7 His services in the glorious struggle that "tried men's souls" have been shamefully forgotten. Yes! the friend of the immortal Washington, who shared in the toils and dangers with the father of this great republic, — how have Americans generally treated his name and efforts to erect one of the most noble monuments of human wisdom — the independent republic of North America? For all his faithful devotedness to the independence of America, how is his name and memory spoken of at the present time % From the pulpit, every kind of falsehood and detraction is poured forth concerning him. If he had been a member of a church, the same fanatical priesthood would have lauded him to the skies. Such is the nature of religious bigotry, that the friendship of the ever to be venerated Washington — even that, cannot shield his name from pulpit calumny. " Bigotry, she has no head, and cannot think; she has no heart, and cannot feel/'

But the name and services of Thomas Paine, are not, and never will be, forgotten. Thanks to the Liberals throughout the Union, his birthday is yearly celebrated in most of the cities and towns in the different States. A handsome and durable monument has been erected to his memory at New Rochelle, New York State. The thanks of the Liberals are due to Mr. G. Vale, Editor of the Beacon, published in New York, for his untiring perseverance in urging on the completion of a monument that will, in time, command the respect of posterity. Why are the name

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GENERAL INTRODUCTION, and services of Thomas Paine so cautiously omitted by our orators and statesmen, when speaking of the patriotism of a Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hancock, and others % It would offend the church and priesthood, as well as the whole of the Christian community ; because — u He that believeth not shall be damned." This is the brightest gem in the Christian's crown of glory. If he nurse this intolerant spirit against Infidels, the Christian considers his " calling and election sure."

Sincere believers in Divine revelation are not aware what monsters the Bible makes of them ; but for which they would be humane, compared to what they are under its influence. I am surprised that they are {the majority of them) so just, humane, and charitable, when I take into consideration the doctrines contained (or believed to be) in what is called the Word of God. In addition to their own evil habits and disregard for virtue in the common concerns of life, they have a Devil to tempt them by a thousand ways in which they are ignorant. Again, they have a Saviour who shed his blood to save them from the just punishment of their deserts ; so that with their own evil deeds, and being urged on by the Devil, they become monsters in crime. They then go, as the phrase is, to Christ, be sorry, or profess to be, for what they have done, and are pardoned, and in the sight of Heaven are considered superior to the unconverted whom they have injured. Can you, my readers, wonder at the crimes of God's people 1 According to this doctrine, a man may steal a horse and cart, by the use of which, another man earned support for his family • the thief sells it, and spends the amount, in connexion with wretches like himself. He then goes to Jesus, repents, is forgiven ; and, to follow the plan throughout — if the man who lost his horse and cart is an unbeliever, he goes to Hell, while the rogue sits singing and laughing in Glory !

This book is sent into society from the best of motives ■ hoping it will induce Christians to practise moderation, and somewhat abate that raging, fanatical fever, that has been so fatal to human happiness. If you take from us the Bible, says the Christian, what will you give in its stead ? We answer, man requires nothing but what God, or Nature, has given him. All men in common, have reason to consult, by which man will learn the duty he owes to himself, and also to his fellow beings. The error lies in being taught, that reason, when m full exercise, will lead him into error. This has been his misfortune ) and his punishment has followed as a consequence. The Bible contains many good moral precepts * but these are, by Christians, thought little of, compared with its doctrines. Faith is all important. By faith, barbarous Calvin caused Servetus to be burnt by a slow fire j and through faith, St. Austin, that drunken debauchee, obtained a good report.

The Bible is at war with man's reasoning powers ; and, like a land pirate, has held up false lights, which instead of conducting man to the haven of happiness and safety, has caused him to make shipwreck On

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. ^

the rocks and shoals of religious dogmas. Man is lost in no other sense than that, the loss of his reason. To recover that, and bring it into full exercise, is all the Saviour he needs. His moral path is as clear as light. God, or Nature, has made it a law of man's existence that he must love happiness, ease, and enjoyment ; and also, that he must hate pain and trouble in every stage and form. This law is forced upon him independent of his choice. It is ever present to his senses, till he ceases to exist, or to be rational. This is man's stock of moral material furnished by God, or Nature. How clear, then, is his duty ! He has but to follow out this law, by the aid of his reasoning, judging, and comparing powers. It will never lead him wrong. He requires no Bible, no Saviour ; he is never lost; he has no incomprehensible doctrines to support or defend. Unlike the sectarian, he feels no disposition to persecute others who differ from him in matters of faith ; he has no angry God to propel him on to fight for his glory ; he can balance up every night his moral account of the day ; and if he has followed out the law of his nature, by augmenting his own, and also the happiness of his fellow beings, and lightened the load of human ills around him, he in truth is the good man, be his faith little or much. That the following work may forward moral improvement, and encourage moderation and universal good will among the human family, is the sincere wish of

THE AUTHOR.

Contents

OLD TESTAMENT

PAGS.

PREFACE. — Free Discussion ; the right to use it in examining the Scriptures ; its certainty in destroying error and establishing truth — Extract from Dr. Blair's sermon on Candor — Motives of the author in laying his work before the public, - - - iii

Chapter I. From The Creation To The Deluge

From what has before been written, the reader is no doubt convinced, that the writer of this work does not believe the Bible to have any claim to divine authority ; but is entirely, from beginning to end, a collection of absurd tales, of historic facts, and of personages that have no foundation in truth, which unfortunately, by being considered of divine origin, has generated a train of calamities destructive to the peace and welfare of the human race. And to account for its having gained credit, and got such strong foothold in the world, we have only to consider that fable is the elder sister of history ; that nations have run a long career of incidents, mostly fabulous, before any appearance of authentic history made its way in the world. What took place in those days may be considered like things taking place in the dark.

From such fabulous materials, then, national history always commences. Not that the writers or authors intend to deceive and impose on posterity; they write what they believe; what they have been told, and what is generally credited in those days. Here, then, we discover the Bible to be of use to us, in showing to what lamentable extent poor mortals have sincerely erre"d in following the legendary tales of former times. And uoav, that the bandage is removed from our eyes, let us all use our best exertions to spread

FROM THE CREATION TO THE DELUGE.

knowledge among those, who, with us, are seeking after truth, but who have till now sought it where it is not to be found.

The authors of the Bible, no doubt, followed in the same track as those who are called profane writers. They wrote what had been* told them by their forefathers. Hence the miracles and wonders, credited by them, of the most extravagant nature, that never did and never could take place ; and unfortunately, for the peace and happiness of mortals, by giving credit to such things, they, for ages, shut up every avenue that would otherwise have led them to the temple of truth.

To believe the account of Adam's transgression, in connection with all the circumstances attending it, to be a matter of fact, appears hardly possible for any man of sane mind. Yet millions there are, who never have had a doubt of its being literally true. Whoever first wrote it, did so from tradition or hearsay, as this is the origin of all national history. It is not impossible but that every nation of antiquity had a similar commencement ; because, as history did not appear till hundreds of years after the facts related are said to have taken place, it follows that hearsay evidence is the best and only evidence that can be obtained. If this is a correct view of the strange tales related in the Bible; then, the more strange and impossible the greater glory is given to God, by swallowing all down, and asking no questions.

The Bible commences, as to persons, with — first, Jehovah, Adam, and Eve, and, according to the orthodox Christians, the Devil was near at hand. Here, then, we have before us, according to Bible history, Jehovah, God of all, about to form or make a world, and put on it both man and beast. This was done without consulting in any way whatever, with Adam and Eve, who were to be placed at the head of all creation. Every circumstance that would take place to Adam and Eve. and their posterity, throughout all ages, was planned, approved of, and finally settled, in the mind of Jehovah, before they had life or being.

Here we have a God knowing all that will take place:

FROM THE CREATION TO THE DELUGE. H

and arranging circumstances favorable to its fulfilment. On the other hand, Adam and Eve were ignorant of the past, the present, and also of the future. Only notice the infinite difference between the two contracting parties. I wish the reader to keep this in view, as it respects what is termed the fall of our first parents. In all ages of the Christian superstition, the fall of Adam has been urged as a justification of God's quarrel with the human race.

Let us examine this subject calmly. It is but justice that this should be done ; since from one hundred thousand pulpits in the different nations of the earth, the priests never fail to praise and thank the Lord for his goodness to the descendants of Adam. I, on the other hand, will honestly, though feebly, advocate the cause of poor, libelled, condemned, priestridden Man. If, before our first parents had been called into life, they had been informed on what conditions they and their posterity were to receive it, together with the final destiny of ninety out of every hundred of their unfortunate race, they would no doubt have exclaimed, " For humanity's sake, let us forever sleep in the womb of chaos !" It is the common practice from the pulpit, as also from the writings of the orthodox Christians, to libel the human race, by saying, that man has rebelled against God, and turned from him; when the truth is, that in all ages and nations, man has been seeking after the best God he could find, and God has always remained the great Unknown, while man, in whatever state we find him, "savage, saint, or sage," has been endeavoring to find out God.

This has always been his misfortune. By trying to find out the absent and unknown God, he has, in his imagination, invented and followed a thousand foolish whims, till, losing all correct ideas of moral rectitude, he has died of old age without arriving at the knowledge of whom or what to worship. Whereas, if he had not troubled himself at all about his maker, and, by the aid of his reasoning powers, had come to the just conclusion, that as he knew not how. nor where to find God, it would follow that it was the business of his maker, and not his, to instruct in the right way to worship the true God. This mode of reasoning will be reprobated by Christians as horrid and wicked; but in reply 7 it may be asked, to what amount of knowledge have they arrived by all their seeking after him ?

We now return to the Bible account of Adam and Eve's creation. The position that justice, strict justice, is due on the part of God towards his new creation, must never be lost sight of in our investigations. If any thing like trickery or injustice on his part is recorded, we, without hesitation, denounce it as a libel on his character, and totally unworthy of the least credit. In reviewing the Old and New Testament, as being considered a Divine Revelation, this criterion will be always referred to; for, if any writings purporting to be of Divine authority, represent their author to be any thing otherwise than a God impartial and just, such writings will, by the author of this work, be considered entirely unworthy of the broad, seal of Heaven, and as fully deserving of being held up to human beings as false, and a flagrant imposition on the credulity of mankind.

And here the reader is reminded, that we have now before us, in the creation of man, a scene of the most surprising nature. A God, infinite in wisdom, unbounded in power, about to bring into existence a race of beings; he, on his part, possessing all knowledge of the past, the present, and also of the future ; and they, on their part, entirely passive, not being consulted as to their organization, their wishes, or the consequences that would result to their progeny. From such a position, what ought we to expect, in order that the being about to be made, might have a fair point from which to start in his untried career 1 Would we not suppose that every advantage should have been given to the party who had no voice concerning his future destiny, nor that of his race? The smallest omission in providing for or securing his first movements, would be fatal to his happiness, and also that of his race.

That no such precaution, on the part of the God of the Bible, was pursued towards his new made creatures, will be fully proved by the examination of the events recorded as having taken place in the Garden of Eden. Whatever were the passions or the inclinations included in the physical organization of our first parents, they had not any control over them whatever, because of the impossibility of their being consulted in a state of non-existence. Whatever they were then, and, also, what was to be their future destiny, was known to Jehovah only ; to Adam and Eve, it was all unknown. This, then, was the state of the pretended Creator and the creatures.

We will pass over the account of the six days' creation, together with the serpent's deceiving Eve by the aid of what the Christians believe to be the Devil. It deserves no comment, except, that from the account given in the Bible, we may infer, that happy would it have been for Adam if he had remained an old bachelor ; for, in that case, Satan perhaps would neither have scraped acquaintance with the serpent, nor ever thought of lurking about the garden. But the source of all human misfortune, according to the Old and New Testaments, is included in Eve's eating the forbidden fruit. We may ask, why was one tree forbidden among so many 1 Certainly as a trap, set to catch the inexperienced, virtuous, and harmless Eve. What humbug ! to make such a fuss about Adam's being alone, without a help-mate; and at the very time the rib operation was going on, Jehovah stood by, and knew, whatever he might say, that the woman, on leaving her ribship, would damn ail that he had declared to be good. Can we, dare we, charge the Governor of the Universe with such trickery ? It must never be lost sight of, that the very prohibition of one tree, would be certain, in their state of ignorance, to produce the consequence that followed: viz., to induce Eve, from curiosity, to partake of it. Is it any thing short of insanity to suppose that such dreadful consequences would follow so trifling an offence?

This forbidden tree had something in it, that, to us, seems very strange. It was to impart knowledge ; and as the fruit was inviting to the eye, and a desire existing to obtain knowledge, Eve fell a victim to her unfortunate curiosity. Noi was this all. Until Eve ate thereof, it appears that th 2 l£ FROM THE CREATION TO THE DELUGE.

happy couple did not perceive their want of clothing. Instantly they set to work to repair this first mishap, by sewing leaves together to make aprons. But in this stage of the business, the Lord seems to have some compassion left, for he, " the Lord, made coats of skins and clothed them" — poor Adam and Eve being ignorant of the strength and durability of leaf aprons. We may suppose the Lord as thinking or saying to Adam, — "Why, this will never do; you must have something more lasting, or else, by every wind that blows, you will be no more than a bundle of tattered rags." Soon, therefore, by the Lord's assistance, poor Adam and Eve jumped into a new suit of clothes ! And, to make sure of man's destruction, by taking that which was forbidden, the serpent was permitted to point out the advantages that would follow ; so that the appearance of the fruit, and the desire to get knowledge, urged on by the serpent, together with Eve's ignorance that any thing like lying existed in the Garden of Eden, the disobedience of our first parents was, by ninety-nine chances out of a hundred, secured, and the damnation of their posterity made sure.

Now, to ascribe such conduct to God, such barefaced design to quarrel with his new creation, is horrid in the extreme, and would disgrace (bad as it is said he is) the very Devil himself. And if the account is not true, if the facts, as recorded, did not take place, but are altogether to be considered as an allegory, then it follows, that human redemption is an allegory, also ; and the whole fabric of the Jewish and Christian religion falls to the ground.

In dismissing this father of humbugs, (the fall of our first parents.) which ended in Adam and Eve's expulsion from Paradise, by way of consolation, we may hi justice say, " Farewell, Adam and Eve ; you have had but a rough beginning. God and the Devil have both conspired to make you unhappy. But never mind, do your best ; comfort and console each other ; the whole world is before you. This garden trade has proved a failure altogether. If you can but procure a spade, a hoe, and shovel, you will in time get on; and, as your present misfortune originated from tha unforeseen quarrel in the garden, live in peace, and share equally in your troubles, and also in your prosperity. Things are not so bad, after all ; and if Adam's wound in the side is not yet entirely healed, it is your duty, Eve, as a good wife, to pay particular attention to it. It is for your interest, also; for if Jehovah should be again offended with you, as in the garden, and take from Adam the opposite rib from which you sprang, and of it make a second Eve, the serpent would pay another visit to mar your happiness, and your troubles would have no end."