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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 13

Man's Natural Position in Respect to Theology, Religion, and Immortality

Man's Natural Position in Respect to Theology, Religion, and Immortality.

The subjects of our discourse are as old as the mental history of the human race. The earliest legacy of our forefathers is their experience in theology and religion. In every age these have been the topics of thought and research, and the cause of much contention and bloodshed. Every nation and tribe has distinguished itself by the peculiar views of its members on these universal themes. Our land is studded with institutions for the perpetuation and diffusion of them, and their paid teachers absorb an incredible amount of the industry of the people. Notwithstanding these evidences, many affirm that neither theology, religion, nor immortality really exist that the first is a wretched bugbear, keeping the human mind in abject slavery; the second, a mere arbitrary system of beliefs and ceremonies; and the latter, an indefinite myth and delusion. The incoherence, uncertainty, and vagueness surrounding these subjects, as popularly taught, have no doubt militated against their acceptance by many logical and powerful minds. Progress and investigation has been denied in this department of thought. Dogmatic authority has taken the place of reason and the teachings of nature derived from experience. The thoughts of the past alone have been consulted, whilst the great realities to which these topics refer have been left uninterrogated. We mean to adopt a perfectly free and independent course on this occasion, and refer all our facts and arguments to the reason and experience of our auditors.