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Untitled Article
—but the subject being one upon which various opinions notoriously exist , and , among the rest , different degrees of unbelief ; it is evidently to be expected that , when the number of persons who are called to its
consideration is vastly augmented , along with a great increase of religion , there will also be a proportionate increase of sceptics and unbelievers . So that the zealous advocates of religion should not be surprised or
disappointed at the apparent growth of unbelief , seeing that this is the natural consequence ot their own exertions . If a thousand persons are to read and discuss the Bible where only ten did so , along with a great addition to the number of those who adopt its
doctrines , some proportionate increase must also be expected of those on whom a different impression is the result . It would have been creditable to the spirit of the age had any symptoms of unbelief among the people been considered with a calm and Christian
disposition ; and had those whose opinions were attacked relied on the strength of argument for the support of their cause . A very different course has been pursued ; the penal laws have been appealed to , and the punishments inflicted have provoked fresh assailants , until at length the number of those who have suffered
severe fines and imprisonment has become very considerable . This being the scene which is acting before us , what is the duty of the enlightened friends of religion and of liberty ? Will they satisfy themselves
with taking no part as to what is going on , and think they shall be justified in remaining silent ? Surely this will be a conduct little worthy of the principles which they profess : for living in a free state , where they have the power publicly to discuss trie subject , and to bear their testimony against persecution , and where public opinion can be excited and enlightened by judicious appeals even from the few , by silence they seem to give their sanction to what is done .
Nor let it be thought that the consequences of the present system of persecution are inconsiderable , or extend only to the sufferers . A feeling of pity arid of justice towards them
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ought , indeed , unquestionabl y to weigh with us . Though possibly one or two may be worthless , ( which is more than
we have a right to assume , ) many others may be good and conscientious ; and injustice ought always to be resisted even against the bad , because it is injustice , and because oppression seeks for its first victims those who
are not objects of public favour . And though we may disapprove their opinions , and their mode of maintaining them , yet to them they may be rendered dear by conviction or by prejudice . The blame of their unbelief
often lies at the door of those who profess to be supporters of religion , and who by misrepresenting its doctrines , making a trade of it , making it an engine of despotism , and a pretext
for persecution , create a prejudice against religion in the minds of the uninformed ; who are then persecuted by the very persons that have made them unbelievers .
Those who enjoy the advantage of having imbibed liberal and enlightened views of religion , ought to be ready to make great allowances for the scepticism of some , especially among the less informed classes , who have not
been placed in such favourable circumstances . As having themselves exercised the right of private judgment , they ought to allow it to others . But , as being fully aware of the ill effect on the mind of those views of
religion which are often inculcated , they should especially look with indulgence on those whom such views have driven into unbelief . Not to dwell on the absurd and frightful dogmas which are held forth to the people as essential to Christianity , look at the arguments of some writers in support of it 3 evidences .
What can be better calculated to promote Atheism than the following ? * ' Every thing bears evidence that God hath smitten the earth with a curse . Not only is this to be seen from the briars and thorns which teem from its
surface all over , nor in the noxious quality of plants which every where abound , nor in the ferocious nature of animals , which have cast off their allegiance to their rightful sovereign , " &c-&c . Or the following from Dr .
Chalmers ? " Nor do we look upon Atheism as a more hopeless species of infidelity
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370 The Nonconformist . No . XXVIII .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1823, page 370, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1786/page/2/
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