Common Sense Thoughts on the Bible for Common Sense People (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871. Excerpt: ... THE BIBLE HAS RETARDED THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. The Scriptures have been brought forward to knock down or strangle every new scientific thought. Our orthodox ministers have stood like highwaymen on the road, and called to every new thought, "Your assistance for our cause, or your life " Science has flourished, not because it had the Bible to help it, but in spite of its direst opposition. Astronomy discovered that the earth is round, and revolves; but 4he Bible taught something widely different: and hence, the astronomer was an infidel, and astronomy a dangerous science. Geology proved the world to be millions of years old, and the wail over its infidelity has not yet subsided. It is well known that man was on the earth ages before the time of the creation of Adam, according to the Bible; but how cautious men are in saying so and how theologians denounce these who dare to do so, for it is not in agreement with the unknown writer of Genesis It will be generally acknowledged that universal man is not descended from one pair, and that man had a natural origin: but our scientific men, especially Americans, have a padlock on their lips; and orthodoxy keeps the key. People have been led to believe that a doctrine is true if taught in the Bible, and false if not taught there, or its opposite taught. Hence passages have been twisted and tortured and turned, till they have cried out the Shibboleths of every party. A day means a year, or a thousand, or an indefinite period of time. Every living thing means a few animals in an obscure valley; and the whole earth means a spot so small that no one can find it. If the English text cannot readily be made to harmonize with the demands of science, then the dead Greek and longer dead Hebrew are called from their musty gr...