The sun., 1905-07-19
A Freethinker's Grumble.

II we did not remember the incon-
sistencies of human nature we should
be somewhat surprised at this letter
from a very intelligent freethinker of
Brooklyn, from whom we hear often on
subjects of religion:
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUS-,str: or course,
1T shines for all but apparently much warmer In
tho orthodox corner.
But please remember those OF us who are less
fortunate-or more. as one may look at 1t. and to
whom the Jargon OF myth and miracle does not
appeal We can bear good deal, but please re-
lleve US from further iteration from Old Dorp
THE SOLID GRoUNpRRs.
BROOKLYN. July TO-"
1t ought to be the distinguishing mark
of the freethinker that his liberalty
allows freedom Of thinking to every
body else and to the fullest extent
1t is true that the majority OF the
people of this country are outside of
communion with the Churches; but in
cluding children not enumerated among
the communicates and adults who at
tend churches with more or less regu-
larity, perhaps majority OF the popula-
ton are under religious influences. At
least, it might not be safe to set down the
majority as religious infidels.
"Old Dorp," the correspondent at
Schenectady whose letters are so often
sive to our Brooklyn correspondent,
represents the devout religious believers
of the country. These are in minority
of the inhabitants. perhaps small, but
actually they are numbered by millions.
"Old Dorp' is also representative of
class of minds which might be supposed
to be peculiarly proof against deep and
enthusiastic religious feeling. He is a
hardheaded man OF practical affairs,
of facts and figures. and is active in
the business life of that busy and pros
porous community; yet he is profoundly
inhamed by the revival spirit which has
swept over that town.
Why should he not express the faith
that is in him through the medium Of
rHE SUN? What harm comes to free
thinking from his letters? Has he not
as much right to declare his belief as the
freethinker to publish his infidelity?
The infidelity OF old days was bitter
against religion. 1t hated the Church,
reviled ministers and priests and scoffed
at the Bible and its teachings and assump-
tions. 1t was as intolerant of belief as
was belief of freethinking. That is, it
was animated by the spirit which this
impatient Brooklyn freethinker now
betIays.
The philosophic freethinking of these
days, however. has no such bitterness
against religious faith. and for that
reason it is all the more dangerous. 1t
looks on belief as a pardonable human
weakness due to mems rushing to the
supernatural for relief from the limita-
tions OF their natural existence Like
men in shipwreck, they fall on their
knees and cry out for succor by SUPER
natural power. Perhaps even free
thinker might follow their example in
such an emergency. Perhaps when he
found himself miserably helpless by
natural means he might pray for help
from above.
At any rate, he is no philosopher IL he
does not recognize that in the mystery
OF existence it is inevitable that men
should look to the supernatural for the
solution Of the awful problem.
Because "Old Dorp" finds happiness in
religious belief and expression, why
should the Solid Grounders" of Brook
lyn be exasperated? The faith which
is real and vital for him is for them a
"jargon of myth and miracle; but
would they deprive him Of the consola-
tion he gets from his religion? II that
is their spirit, they have not the spirit of