{"product_id":"2940013631113","title":"BIBLICAL EXTRACTS","description":"PREFACE.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe distinguishing characteristic of the present age, is the freedom\u003cbr\u003eof inquiry and discussion which prevails upon all subjects; and most\u003cbr\u003eparticularly upon religious subjects. Intelligent and thinking men of\u003cbr\u003eevery class, are beginning to investigate and discuss questions of the\u003cbr\u003elatter kind with considerable closeness, fearlessness and determination.\u003cbr\u003eThey are now resolved no longer to be hoodwinked with the veil of\u003cbr\u003eprejudice, enchained with the trammels of superstition, or deluded\u003cbr\u003eby the Hosted by or intimidated by the denunciations of a crafty and\u003cbr\u003eintolerant priesthood; but to examine for themselves--\"to prove all\u003cbr\u003ethings, and hold fast that which is good.\" And long have the priesthood\u003cbr\u003edreaded, and anxiously have they endeavored to procrastinate, the\u003cbr\u003earrival of this period. Long have they been apprehensive of the\u003cbr\u003edevelopment of intellect, and the enlightenment of mind. Long have they\u003cbr\u003efeared the advent of that era which will hail the dawn of rationality\u003cbr\u003eand advancement. And why? Because they knew full well, ignorant and\u003cbr\u003esuperstitious as many of them may appear, that when intellect and\u003cbr\u003erationality become the main-springs of society--when men begin\u003cbr\u003edispassionately and philosophically to examine into the mysteries and\u003cbr\u003eworkings of religion, that all their impositions will be discovered,\u003cbr\u003eall their craftiness detected, and all their designs and practices fully\u003cbr\u003eexposed. And, when once this is done, they are conscious that their\u003cbr\u003einfluence over the people, would immediately decline, and ultimately\u003cbr\u003efall. This has already in some measure proved true. For by the many bold\u003cbr\u003eand daring innovations, which have been made by a Paine, a Voltaire,\u003cbr\u003ea Mirabaud, a Volney, a Taylor, a Howitt, and an Owen, upon what is\u003cbr\u003earrogantly called the consecrated ground of religion, their influence\u003cbr\u003ehas materially declined, and has every prospect of still continuing\u003cbr\u003eto do so. And this they know--_this they feel_. Hence, the terrific\u003cbr\u003ethunderbolts of indignation and anathema which they have hurled at the\u003cbr\u003echaracters of those distinguished men. And hence, that malicious and\u003cbr\u003evindictive spirit which they have manifested toward all those who have\u003cbr\u003ehad the integrity or boldness to acknowledge themselves their disciples.\u003cbr\u003eHence, too, their present discreditable opposition to every educational,\u003cbr\u003epolitical and social measure, which would conduce to the elevation and\u003cbr\u003eimprovement of society. But poor deluded mortals! how vain will they\u003cbr\u003efind all their attempts to impede the mighty progress of truth--the\u003cbr\u003eglorious advancement of thought and enlightenment! As well, indeed,\u003cbr\u003emight they attempt to overthrow the pyramids of Egypt with the waft of\u003cbr\u003ea feather, as to endeavor to demolish the temple of reason and intellect\u003cbr\u003ewhich is now erecting in society; a temple which, while it will be a\u003cbr\u003eglorious emblem of the progression of man, will be a lasting monument\u003cbr\u003eof their final downfall! So considerably, in fact, is the power of the\u003cbr\u003epriesthood already diminished, that they are now beginning to be looked\u003cbr\u003eupon by the leading minds of all classes, with feelings of indifference\u003cbr\u003eand compassion, rather than those of reverence and admiration.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was the desire to endeavor to hasten the annihilation of the\u003cbr\u003einfluence of these men that induced me to publish the following work---a\u003cbr\u003ework which, I trust, will serve somewhat to expose one of the greatest\u003cbr\u003eimpositions ever palmed upon mankind in any age, or in any country. I\u003cbr\u003eallude, as may be supposed? to the Bible. Yes, the Christian priesthood\u003cbr\u003edare so outrageously to blaspheme the character of the Supreme Governor\u003cbr\u003eof the Universe as to say, that book is his word; that he either wrote\u003cbr\u003eor inspired men to write it. O shame, shame upon such blasphemy! What!\u003cbr\u003ea munificent and omniscient Deity the author of a book replete with\u003cbr\u003emore contradictions, containing more immoralities, and inculcating more\u003cbr\u003eabsurdities, than any book extant; contradictions, too, of the grossest\u003cbr\u003echaracter, immoralities of the most pernicious tendency, and absurdities\u003cbr\u003eof the most extravagant nature! Audacious impiety! Such an opinion\u003cbr\u003eperhaps might be entertained in the dark ages of ignorance and\u003cbr\u003esuperstition, but in this the boasted era of reason and science, it must\u003cbr\u003ebe repudiated by all who dare openly and frankly avow their sentiments,","brand":"SAP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47145764192496,"sku":"2940013631113","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940013631113_p0.jpg?v=1763583215","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940013631113","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}