, 1880-02-29
A BROAD CHURCH.

ATHEISM, THE1ss1, AND PHILANTHROPY.
To The Editor Of The Chicago Tribune.
HYDE PARK, Feb. o5.-The lectures Of Col
ngerso1l have caused an extraordinary re-
yival of discussions which are not only
prOfit1ess but meaningless,-a mere war Of
words.
An atheist is said to be one who does not
believe in God; but can any one believe that
he is an atheist? One cannot assent to a
proposition which is wholly unintelligible.
The so-called atheist, seeing that Force Is
everywhere present, manifesting itself in va
rious ways, classed as physical or mental
and effecting all changes, attempts to explain
the essential nature Of this Force by calling
It system Of laws which has existed during
infnit time.
Philosophy answers that no one can posi-
bly, think of infnit time, and even If he could
It is no explanation Of phenomenon to say
that 1t is q manifestation Of law. II
Arch1medes were raised from the dead long
enough to examine the phonograph he might
remark that it operated in accordance with
eternal laws, but he would hardly call that
an explanation.
The theologlans' explanation is that this
force proceeds from an omnipotent being
called God, who has existed forever, and who
created out of nothing tie material universe.
But it is impossible to form conception Of
"nothing,"-of space with nothing in it,
and, even if it were possible, one must next
represent in thought the idea Of Deity ere
ating space. Still further the Deity must be
thought Of as First Cause, not only inhnlt,
but absolute; that is, without necessary re-
lation to anything else or to anything within
itself. but tra1lscending all laws. There can
6o r. (which fptarniDQS fh1nna
which prevents change, for, If it contains
something which imposes such necessities or
restraints, this something must be cause
higher than the first cause, which is absurd.
think only i'll relations; cognition OF TIE a6, !,
sol,lte is impossible. Does the word "god,"
then, explain the nature Of this force any
better than the word "law"?
For centuries theologians have been turn
which is ever elevating men by bringing them
into better adaptation to each other and to
their present circumstances, and lnvoElng
supernatural agencies. They demand blind
faith in their dogmas, in which no two OF
them can fully agree and no human being
can understand, but faith in human nature
IS paralyzed by the doctrine OF total de-
prayity. ..4
war famine, and pestilence, while theology,
refers these subjects to the Deity. The secta-:
rian bigot claims that his religion has caused
all the good qualities in human nature.
while the atneistic bigot charges that it Is
responsible for nearly all the bad. ..-
But, although the Power which governs
the universe is utterly inscrutable, al must
recognize its immensely and grandeur be.
yond words to express, and 1t tlmpresses most
minds as being manifested IN acceptance
with what men term wisdom and bcnehcence.
Religion is but the 0utgrowth OF 'conte!npla-
tion of this infnit subject, and 1t pertains
rather to the speculative and emotional na-
fure Of man than to his reasoning faculties,
to which latter division morality, the science
which treats Of the relations between human
beings in q social state, more properly De-
longs. -; 41,n
What then? Must man, the heir OF all the
aees. in the foremost files of time be COM
nelled to choose between q theology when
stl1ltifies his reason and q barren negat10n?
Probably the majority Of our citizens 20
not admit the plenary inspiration OF the bl-
HE, Can they sincerely say that they are sat
isfied with any Church which is constantly
evhnrting or commanding them to accept the
Ninsaic account Of creation, or the religion
and morality Of the Old Testament?
As to the New Testament, hoW mmcn @ t,,ot ot
the 'enthusiasm for humanity ana lilLe
humble and unostentat1tus Splrlt Mtilc!1 ~
were the distinguishing traits 9t Jesus Cialss
are found in modern fashlonaole cllulentiS; ~;
The spiritual and moral wei1ale oi LILY tlll5
generation seems to require cnt1Icn J., proaa n
enough III its doctrines to contain tlle n1', !,
iority, unfettered by "a creed onIMolh'
ana not governed by the Almlgh{y DoilAI: