I have said before, and I say again, the brain thinks in spite of me, and I am not responsible for my thoughts. I cannot control the beating of my heart. I cannot stop the blood that flows through the rivers of my veins. And yet I am held responsible for my belief. Then why does not God give me the evidence? They say he has. In what? In an inspired book. But I do not understand it as they do. Must I be false to my understanding? They say: 'When you come to die you will be sorry if you do not.' Will I be sorry when I come to die that I did not live a hypocrite? Will I be sorry that I did not say I was a Christian when I was not? Will the fact that I was honest put a thorn in the pillow of death? Cannot God forgive me for being honest? They say that when he was in Jerusalem he forgave his murderers, but now he will not forgive an honest man for differing from him on the subject of the Trinity.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ingersoll argues that since humans cannot control involuntary bodily functions, they should not be held responsible for involuntary beliefs, demanding evidence for faith.
- In plain terms
- He claims we can't control our thoughts like we can't control our hearts, so we shouldn't be punished for honest doubts.
- What can you take from it?
- Demand evidence for beliefs and respect honest doubt.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are beliefs voluntary?
- Does God forgive honesty?
Another view
It conflates involuntary thoughts with voluntary acts of belief and commitment.
More from Robert G. Ingersoll
I hate above all things a cross man. What right has he to murder the sunshine of a day? What right has he to assassinate the joy of life?
Permalink to quote #131 I have the same right to express my thought to the whole world, that the whole world has to express its thought to me.
Permalink to quote #133 I had rather be a beggar and spend my last dollar like a king, than be a king and spend my money like a beggar! If it has got to go, let it go!
Permalink to quote #130
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