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Cranbropk , Sir , Feb . 20 , 1820 . YOUR Correspondent J . F . [ XIV . 727 ] expresses Ins sentiments on the late trial of Mr . Carlile , and wishes to know the sentiments of Unitarians
in general on the same subject . I , therefore , take the liberty to send mine , differing as they do from his , and probably fi-om others . I feel convinced of the equity of the verdict the jury returned against him . Paine ' s
Age of Reason , which he not only published but defended , is a scandalous blasphemous libel against the Scriptures , and against all who believe in , and propagate the doctrines of , the Bible . That I think is so clear as to
need no proof . He designates the Bible , " a book full of lies and blasphemy against God / ' If then the Bible contain the word of God , and be a good book , this language is blasphemous . He speaks of priests as
stupid and ignorant , says their learning consists of a , b , ab , and hie , hsec , hoc . This is scandalously false , and a great crime . If men ' s characters be sacred , they ought not to be so treated . If to rob a man of his character be a
greater crime than to rob him of his property , Carlile is a greater criminal than a common thief . But the question is , how ought he to have been treated 1 Though we believe hijn criminal , ought we not to act like Christians towards him ; pity , forgive and endeavour to convert him ?
Certainly , and so ought we to do towards other criminals . Christianity forbids all revenge , and retaliation of wrong received . But is it , therefore , against a $ ivil ^ polity ? Against magistrates ? Against all pimishi ^ ent whoever ? If it be not , and I feel persuade ^ it is not , the true medium must be found between revenge or retaliation , ana a
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total neglect o £ crime * Tlje only thfog that appears unjust irv this case is , ^ partiality with which this offender is sin , gled out for punishment , while so many guilty of worse offehpes against reli * gion , are not only left unpuhished , but even applauded , and rewarded for their work . I do believe , that without much
labour , expressions and sentiments might be collected from the writings of persons in Church and State , as well as those who lead the diversions of the public , that are equally offensive and injurious to religion and morals .
Mr . Carlile ' s case has frequently been viewed as a case of conscience ; and his persecution , as a religious persecution . The wfyole of Ms conduct , however , is such as to prove this notion erroneous . For a man to write or
publish such a book , as the Age of Reason , with a view to promote the honour and worship of the Deity , is too strange to be admitted . It is frequently the complaint of Deists , that they are not included within the pale of toleration ; that they are not at liberty to
propagate their religious tenets . This complaint is false , except their tenets be calumny , scorn and derision against religion , decency , good morals , and the public worship of God . Except they be a depreciating of every thing that is good in human nature , and a derision of every thing that is weak
and wrong . For , do they believe in the existence of a God , the creator , preserver and governor of the world ? They are at liberty to teach this . Do
they believe him to be good , wise , great and immortal ? They have the suffrage of all to teach this . Do they believe that all that can be knojwn , or that it is desirable or useful to know of
him , may be learned from his works 1 No one ; , objects to their teaching and enforcing this . Do they hold that men should be just * benevolent , sober , chaste ; and do they wish to plead the cause of morality iri general ? Why ,
who , ia the name of goodness , denies them the ri g ht to dp $ 0 ? But do they wish to sjiit the foulest venom arid slander agawisJ all iipien injdiscnniinatel ) , bad and gopd , foolish an 4 wise ? Who would say , thot they * are any longer to be considered ineji ? QWstfawty shrinks not from inquiry . .. It will stand , though attacked by the qombinea powers of wit , raillery , worldly power ,
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tion would soon be apparent . Whether the present is the time or not , may perhaps be a matter of debate , but to some such organization as this , sooner or later , we shall find it necessary to
come . In any event , it is pretty evident that , from some cause or other , our neighbours of other . denominations hare a decided advantage over us in these matters , T .
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160 On the Punishment of Unbelievers :
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1820, page 160, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2486/page/32/
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