Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-03
LAW AGAINST ATHEISTS.


1t is narrow and vulgar prejudice
that persons calling themselves atheists
are not qualified TO testify in court
There is, it is true, some show of reason
in the argument that the man who by
word and deed disayows ell faith in Deity
and religion, can have but small respect
for honor or truth. But we maintain
that such men are extremely rare. The
real atheist exists as often in the shadow
of creed, as out of it.
To believe in God, Is to believe in the
attributes of God. You may profess
faith in Allah, Mauitou, Zeus, Jove or
Jeno. AM, nj Que or ali OF the Supremes,
and still be at heart a rank atheist. How
can man believe il a God Of love.
while he hates his asighbor 81 God
of wisdom, while he remnins an ignor-
ant bigot? or God of justice, while he
is himself unjust or in God Of truth,
while Ee Iiges by deception or in a God
OF mercy, while he fails TO forgive an
erring brother or sister, or those who
trespass against him? Whoever, there
fore, is selfish, intoleraut, unkind to the
poor, mean, hypocritical or grasping, is an
atheist in practice, although his intellect
may be Strengthened in the tightest theo-
logical waistcoat.
But it is a well known fact, that many
self-styled atheists have been men Of
exemplary truth and benevolence. Their
lives have been a steady rcbuke TO a far
greater number Of SELF siy led Christians,
II the question were put to them upon
the witness stand, - DO you believe in
Truth Z" the answer would be, We
do" " DO you believe in Justice =
+" Most assuredly." DO you believe il
the golden rule Of doing unto others al
you would have them do unto you g'-
With all our hearts" Such belize
should certainly entille a man to testify
But the bold question is put, - do yot
believe in God!"
II the man responds, " DO NOT" hl
testimony is put aside. II lac answers
'' do, he is permitted to bear witness
Now, in the fsfner case, he is honest il
his reply; and the very fact that he
willing 70 be thought an atheist, aud Tor
felt legal claim to truth aud honor
might safely be set down ia his favor, a
man Of principle. But perhaps tb
! man who says, g ! do believe in God" u
tiers falsehood. Where then Is the jus
!, tice of accepting the testimony Of th
one, and refusing that Of the other
Experience teaches Us that man ma
It honestly and sincerely arrive al the eol
yiciion ti,at there is no God. Deep an
J lamentable a. such an error Is, il Is trut
itself, compared with any kSpocritic'
e aud shallow religious belief Some 4
4 the best men we hgye ever known, wel
Il theoretical atheists and some Of q
; worst men, we're theoretical Christians.
n Tie prejudice against atheists is lhS
Y proved to be false one and the Ia
!. against them is easily si.esn 10 be q reli
Of ancient bigoiry ahd intolerance
/ is not IN keeping with the spirit u d
Is age. Where is yoar boast Of sezsssl al
i religious freedom, as long as the aian vi
b denies your creed IS turned oss d eoug
4 as one not 70 BE- believed under cath
5. Il 5 time this unjust las was repealet
i. and ne are glad that there has late
IL been. ID our Massachusetts, Legislator
"a movement IL shs right direesioa.'