 |
 |
|
|
| Excerpts from the Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, 1888
The Field-Ingersoll Discussion, North American Review
The first question that arises between us, is as to the innocence of honest error—as to the right to express an honest thought. You must know that perfectly honest men differ on many important subjects. Some believe in free trade, others are advocates of protection. There are honest Democrats and sincere Republicans. How do you account for these differences?
You do not regard me as a monster. "Some of your brethren" do. How do you account for this difference? Of course, your brethren—their hearts having been softened by the Presbyterian God—are governed by charity and love. They do not regard me as a monster because I have committed an infamous crime, but simply for the reason that I have expressed my honest thoughts… Is it a crime to investigate, to think, to reason, to observe? Is it a crime to be governed by that which to you is evidence, and is it infamous to express your honest thought? There is also another question: Is credulity a virtue? Is the open mouth of ignorant wonder the only entrance to Paradise? According to your creed, those who believe are to be saved, and those who do not believe are to be eternally lost. When you condemn men to everlasting pain for unbelief---that is to say, for acting in accordance with that which is evidence to them—do you not make that a crime which is not a crime? And when you reward men with an eternity of joy for simply believing that which happens to be in accord with their minds, do you not make that a virtue which is not a virtue? The truth is, no one can be justly held responsible for his thoughts. The brain thinks without asking our consent. We believe or we disbelieve, without an effort of the will. Belief is a result. It is the effect of evidence on the mind. The scales turn in spite of him who watches. There is no opportunity of being honest or dishonest in the formation of an opinion. The conclusion is entirely independent of desire. We must believe, or we must doubt, in spite of what we wish. That which must be, has the right to be. We think in spite of ourselves. The brain thinks as the heart beats, as the eyes see, as the blood peruses its course in the old accustomed ways. The question then is, not have we the right to think--that being a necessity--but have we the right to express our honest thoughts? You certainly have the right to express yours, and you have exercised that right. Some of your brethren, who regard me as a monster, have expressed theirs. The question now is, have I the right to express mine? You would not burn, you would not even imprison me, because I differ with you on a subject about which neither of us knows anything. To you the savagery of the Inquisition is only a proof of the depravity of man. You are far better than your creed. You believe that even the Christian world is outgrowing the frightful feeling that fagot, and dungeon, and thumb-screw are legitimate arguments, calculated to convince those upon whom they are used, that the religion of those who use them was founded by a God of infinite compassion. You will admit that the person who now persecutes for opinion's sake is infamous. And yet, the God you worship will, according to your creed, torture through all the endless years, the man who entertains an honest doubt. A belief in such a God is the foundation stone of all religious persecution. |
Robert Ingersoll 
© 1997-99 BEI