Produced by Freethought ArchivesGOOD SENSE WITHOUT GODORFREETHOUGHTS OPPOSED TO SUPERNATURAL IDEASBy Baron DholbachFreethinkers Library SeriesLondon W Stewart  CoA Translation Of Baron Dholbachs Le Bon SensTranscribers note this etext is based on an undated English translationof Le Bon Sens published c 1900 The name of the translator was notstated     _Atheism_ leaves men to Sense to Philosophy to Laws to     Reputation all which may be guides to moral Virtue tho     Religion were not but Superstition dismounts all these and     erects an absolute Monarchy in the Minds of Men  Therefore     Atheism did never perturb States but Superstition hath been     the confusion of many  The causes of Superstition are     pleasing and sensual rights and Ceremonies Excess of     Pharisaical and outside holiness Reverence to Traditions     and the stratagems of Prelates for their own Ambition and     Lucre_Lord Bacon_CONTENTS1 APOLOGUE2 What is Theology3 What is Theology4 Man is not born with any ideas of Religion5 It is not necessary to believe in a God6 Religion is founded on credulity7 All religion is an absurdity8 The idea of God is impossible9 On the Origin of Superstition10 On the Origin of all Religion11 Religious fears expose men to become a prey to imposters12 Religion seduces ignorance by the aid of the marvellous13 Religion seduces ignorance by the aid of the marvellous14 No Religion if not ages of Stupidity and Barbarism15 All Religion was produced by the desire of domination16 What serves as a basis to Religion is most uncertain17 It is impossible to be convinced of the existence of a God18 It is impossible to be convinced of the existence of a God19 The existence of God is not proved20 It explains nothing to say that God is a spirit21 Spirituality is an absurdity22 Whatever exists is derived from Matter23 What is the metaphysical God of modern Theology24 Less unreasonable to adore the Sun than adore a spiritual Deity25 A spiritual Deity is incapable of volition and action26 What is God27 Some remarkable Contradictions in Theology28 To adore God is to adore a fiction29 Atheism is authorised by the infinity of God30 Believing not safer than not believing in God31 Belief in God is a habit acquired in infancy32 Belief in God is a prejudice ov successive generations33 On the Origin of Prejudices34 On the effects of Prejudices35 Theology must be instilled before the age of reason36 The wonders of nature do not prove the existence of God37 Nature may be explained by natural causes38 Nature may be explained by natural causes39 The world has never been created Matter moves of itself40 The world has never been created Matter moves of itself41 Motion is essential to Matter no Spiritual Mover42 The existence of Man does not prove the existence of God43 Neither Man nor the Universe are the effects of chance44 Order of the Universe does not prove the existence of a God45 Order of the Universe does not prove the existence of a God46 Absurd to adore a divine intelligence47 Qualities given God contrary to the Essence attributed to him48 Qualities given God contrary to the Essence attributed to him49 Absurd to say that the human race is the object of the Universe50 God is not made for Man nor Man for God51 Untrue that the object of the Universe was to render Man happy52 What is called Providence is a word without meaning53 This pretended Providence is the enemy of Man54 The world is not governed by an intelligent being55 God cannot be considered immutable56 Good and evil are the necessary effects of natural causes57 The consolations of Theology and paradise are imaginary58 Another romantic reverie59 Vain that Theology attempts to clear its God from human defects60 Impossible to believe God is of infinite goodness and power61 Impossible to believe God is of infinite goodness and power62 Theologys God a monster of absurdity and injustice63 All Religion inspires contemptible fears64 Religion the same as the most somber and servile Superstition65 The love of God is impossible66 An eternally tormenting God is a most detestable being67 Theology is a tissue of palpable contradictions68 The pretended works of God do not prove Divine Perfections69 The perfection of God and the pretended creation of angels70 Theology preaches Omnipotence of its God yet makes impotent71 Per all religious systems God is capricious and foolish72 It is absurd to say that Evil does not proceed from God73 The foreknowledge of God proves his cruelty74 Absurdity of the stories concerning Original Sin and Satan75 The Devil like Religion was invented to enrich the priests76 God has no right to punish man77 It is absurd to say that the conduct of God a mystery78 Ought we look for consolation from the author of our misery79 God who punishes the faults which he might have prevented80 What is called Free Will is an absurdity81 But we must not conclude that Society has no right to punish82 Refutation of the arguments in favour of Free Will83 Refutation of the arguments in favour of Free Will84 God if there were a God would not be free85 According to Theology man is not free a single instant86 There is no evil and no sin but must be attributed to God87 The prayers prove dissatisfaction of the divine will88 Absurd to imagine repair of misfortune in another world89 Theology justifies the evil permitted by its God90 Jehovah exterminations prove an unjust and barbarous God91 Is God a generous equitable and tender father92 Mans life deposes against goodness of a pretended God93 We owe no gratitude to what is called _Providence_94 It is folly to suppose that Man is the favourite of God95 A comparison between Man and brutes96 There are no animals so detestable as Tyrants97 A refutation of the excellence of Man98 An oriental Tale99