Quote #185

Suppose I read the book called the Bible, and when I get through I make up my mind that it was written by men. A minister asks me, 'Did you read the Bible?' I answer, that I did. 'Do you think it divinely inspired?' What should I reply? Should I say to myself, 'If I deny the inspiration of the Scriptures, the people will never clothe me with power.' What ought I to answer? Ought I not to say like a man: 'I have read it; I do not believe it.' Should I not give the real transcript of my mind? Or should I turn hypocrite and pretend what I do not feel, and hate myself forever after for being a cringing coward. For my part I would rather a man would tell me what he honestly thinks. I would rather he would preserve his manhood. I had a thousand times rather be a manly unbeliever than an unmanly believer. And if there is a judgment day, a time when all will stand before some supreme being, I believe I will stand higher, and stand a better chance of getting my case decided in my favor, than any man sneaking through life pretending to believe what he does not.

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