The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1855-06-06

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RM. Ma CAssssres:
Dear Sir We have briefly re.
viewed some ofthe fundamental prioci.
pies Of the christian religion. We
may now come to the mair inquiry
Ought they to be true, whether they
are or not? Remember that the quss.
ton 10 not whether christianity il su.
perior to other systems Of faith, nor
whether it has more influence in civil
lied countries than any other. The
question IL not. what We should be.
lieve il We discard this, nor whether
morality and virtue are better than
vice and immortality. these are not the
questions now. But it is this. Ought
these christian dogmas to be true, even
ifthey are not? Ought this Christian
creed-as distinguished from all other
creeds-to be true Z? In short
Ought mankind to be in \ fallen
state, "lost :"
Ought there 10 be . Devil with pow.
er to ruin the race
Ought the Eternal Parent to be-
come the persecutor instead Of the
Protector OF his injured offspring!
Ought the entire human race be
eternally damned because the FIRST par
ents were deceived, or led astray
Ought Desrotism. cruelty and the
most diabolical injustice to character
ise the acts of the Supreme Father to-
ward bis children! And finally,
Ought the most absurd, unreasona-
bic and demoralisirg doctrines be true,
even If they are not
Every thinking mind must feel that
these fundamental doctrines Of Chris
tianity ought not-capnot be true.
If your theology is true. if your
Faith is worth depending, stand forth
and be its champion, Truth never
finches before Reason. l contend
sir, that you say these things ought to
Be so. Can you. Tor any one) show
that the basis of Modern Christianity
is not composed of just such prepos-
ferrous and insane stuff as l have rep
Ifyou can. then DO IT.
You cannot. fyou deny these dog
mas. you deny your Theology. the
very foundations Of christianity. Let
Judgment, reason, instinct. conscience,
be iuterrogated by your
dogmas. They appeal to our CRED
uL1rY, NOT to our REASON.
Now sir, here is the exact ground of
dispute between the christian and the
rational or skeptical world-Let DO
false issues be allowed to mislead the
Judgment. These are the issues upon
which the mentality Of the present era
is to decide. This is THE question Of
bis age, and this Age MUST answer
i. The true question is not between
Catholicism and Professionalism, nor
between these and the Greek, or any
other religious faith, 10 sir. tho true
question, the ultimate problem is.
REASON or SUPERSTITION
'hall prevail. Whether MYTHOLOGY
md Old Zheolog;es shall reign ST.
oreme on the earth, or COMMON SENSE
Ind sound Philosophy. 1t is. wheth.
y absurd religious creeds and dogmas
hall continue to hold the human mind
n slovery and fear, or be repudiated
md condemned as unworthy Of the en-
ightened mind. Let the Freedom
mind assert its prerogative Of Free
Thought. Let them marshal their
orces and vindicate the rights Of Free
mem to do their o,on thinking. and to
rpress their own thoughts. Fear not,
ut despise the threats and scars-crovs
{ priestcraft. invented to intimidate
nd to lead you by the nose. Be not
traid to trust TRurH, for there is no
tier SAVIOR that can elevate the race
rom its present discordant condition
. q state of harmony, happiness and
Ieaven. Suffer not the supercillious
nd bigoted priesthood to brow.beat,
or the frownings of public opin. 1
IN to gag and silence you. Think I