The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll Volume V Part 42

_Question_. How does it happen that the two gene- alogies given do not agree?

_Answer_. Perhaps they were written by different persons.

_Question_. Were both these persons inspired by the same G.o.d?

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_Answer_. Of course.

_Question_. Why were the miracles recorded in the New Testament performed?

_Answer_. The miracles were the evidence relied on to prove the supernatural origin and the divine mission of Jesus Christ.

_Question_. Aside from the miracles, is there any evidence to show the supernatural origin or character of Jesus Christ?

_Answer_. Some have considered that his moral precepts are sufficient, of themselves, to show that he was divine.

_Question_. Had all of his moral precepts been taught before he lived?

_Answer_. The same things had been said, but they did not have the same meaning.

_Question_. Does the fact that Buddha taught the same tend to show that he was of divine origin?

_Answer_. Certainly not. The rules of evidence applicable to the Bible are not applicable to other books. We examine other books in the light of reason; the Bible is the only exception. So, we should not judge of Christ as we do of any other man.

_Question_. Do you think that Christ wrought

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many of his miracles because he was good, charitable, and filled with pity?

_Answer_. Certainly

_Question_. Has he as much power now as he had when on earth?

_Answer_. Most a.s.suredly.

_Question_. Is he as charitable and pitiful now, as he was then?

_Answer_. Yes.

_Question_. Why does he not now cure the lame and the halt and the blind?

_Answer_. It is well known that, when Julian the Apostate was dying, catching some of his own blood in his hand and throwing it into the air he exclaimed: "Galileean, thou hast conquered!"

_Question_. Do you consider it our duty to love our neighbor?

_Answer_. Certainly.

_Question_. Is virtue the same in all worlds?

_Answer_. Most a.s.suredly.

_Question_. Are we under obligation to render good for evil, and to "pray for those who despitefully use us"?

_Answer_. Yes.

_Question_. Will Christians in heaven love their neighbors?

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_Answer_. Y es; if their neighbors are not in h.e.l.l.

_Question_. Do good Christians pity sinners in this world?

_Answer_. Yes.

_Question_. Why?

_Answer_. Because they regard them as being in great danger of the eternal wrath of G.o.d.

_Question_. After these sinners have died, and been sent to h.e.l.l, will the Christians in heaven then pity them?

_Answer_. No. Angels have no pity.

_Question_. If we are under obligation to love our enemies, is not G.o.d under obligation to love his?

If we forgive our enemies, ought not G.o.d to forgive his? If we forgive those who injure us, ought not G.o.d to forgive those who have not injured him?

_Answer_. G.o.d made us, and he has therefore the right to do with us as he pleases. Justice demands that he should d.a.m.n all of us, and the few that he will save will be saved through mercy and without the slightest respect to anything they may have done themselves. Such is the justice of G.o.d, that those in h.e.l.l will have no right to complain, and those in heaven will have no right to be there. h.e.l.l is justice, and salvation is charity.

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_Question_. Do you consider it possible for a law to be jusdy satisfied by the punishment of an innocent person?

_Answer_. Such is the scheme of the atonement.

As man is held responsible for the sin of Adam, so he will be credited with the virtues of Christ; and you can readily see that one is exactly as reasonable as the other.

_Question_. Suppose a man honestly reads the New Testament, and honestly concludes that it is not an inspired book; suppose he honestly makes up his mind that the miracles are not true; that the devil never really carried Christ to the pinnacle of the temple; that devils were really never cast out of a man and allowed to take refuge in swine;--I say, suppose that he is honestly convinced that these things are not true, what ought he to say?

_Answer_. He ought to say nothing.

_Question_. Suppose that the same man should read the Koran, and come to the conclusion that it is not an inspired book; what ought he to say?

_Answer_. He ought to say that it is not inspired; his fellow-men are ent.i.tled to his honest opinion, and it is his duty to do what he can do to destroy a per- nicious superst.i.tion.

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_Question_. Suppose then, that a reader of the Bible, having become convinced that it is not inspired-- honestly convinced--says nothing--keeps his con- clusion absolutely to himself, and suppose he dies in that belief, can he be saved?