The lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll

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The instant we admit that a book is too sacred to be doubted, or even reasoned about, we are mental serfs.

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An Honest God is the Noblest Work of Man. Each nation has created a god, and the god has always resembled his creators. He hated and loved what they hated and loved, and he was invariably found on the side of those in power. Every god was intensely patriotic, and detested all nations but his own. All these gods demanded praise, flattery and worship. Most of them were pleased with sacrifice, and the smell of innocent blood has ever been considered a divine perfume.

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For ages, a deadly conflict has been waged between a few brave men and women of thought and genius upon the one side, and the great ignorant religious mass on the other. This is the war between Science and Faith. The few have appealed to reason, to honor, to law, to freedom to the known, and to happiness here in this world. The many have appealed to prejudice, to fear, to miracle, to slavery, to the unknown and to misery hereafter. The few have said, "Think!" The many have said, "Believe!"

Read more at Robert G. Ingersoll's 44 Complete Lectures.

Also available as audio books at LibriVox.
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