The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Volume VIII | Page 2

ACTORS, New York Star
LIBERALS AND LIBERALISM, Toronto Secular Thought
POPE LEO XIII., New York Herald
THE SACREDNESS OF THE SABBATH, New York Journal
THE WEST AND SOUTH, Indianapolis Journal
THE WESTMINSTER CREED AND OTHER SUBJECTS, Rochester
Post-Express
SHAKESPEARE AND BACON, Minneapolis Tribune
GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY, AND PRESBYTERIANISM,
Toledo Blade
CREEDS, New York Morning Advertiser
THE TENDENCY OF MODERN THOUGHT, Chicago Tribune
WOMAN SUFFRAGE, HORSE RACING, AND MONEY, Chicago
Inter-Ocean
MISSIONARIES, Cleveland Press
MY BELIEF AND UNBELIEF, Toledo Blade
MUST RELIGION GO? New York Evening Advertiser
WORD PAINTING AND COLLEGE EDUCATION, Indianapolis
News

PERSONAL MAGNETISM AND THE SUNDAY QUESTION,
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette
AUTHORS, Kansas City Star
INEBRIETY, Unpublished
MIRACLES, THEOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALISM, Unpublished
TOLSTOY AND LITERATURE, Buffalo Evening Express
WOMAN IN POLITICS, New York Advertiser
SPIRITUALISM, St. Louis Globe-Democrat
PLAYS AND PLAYERS, New York Dramatic Mirror
WOMAN, A Fragment
STRIKES, EXPANSION AND OTHER SUBJECTS, New York, May
5, 1893
SUNDAY A DAY OF PLEASURE, New York Times
THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS, New York Herald
CLEVELAND'S HAWAIIAN POLICY, Chicago Inter-Ocean
ORATORS AND ORATORY, London Sketch
CATHOLICISM AND PROTESTANTISM.--THE POPE.--THE A. P.
A., AGNOSTICISM AND THE CHURCH, New York Herald
WOMAN AND HER DOMAIN, Grand Rapids Democrat
PROFESSOR SWING, Chicago Inter-Ocean
SENATOR SHERMAN AND HIS BOOK, St. Louis Globe-Democrat

REPLY TO THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS, New York Journal
SPIRITUALISM, New York Journal
A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING, Rochester Herald
IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?--CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND POLITICS,
Chicago Inter-Ocean
VIVISECTION, New York Evening Telegram
DIVORCE, New York Herald
MUSIC, NEWSPAPERS, LYNCHING AND ARBITRATION,
Chicago Inter-Ocean
A VISIT TO SHAW'S GARDEN, St. Louis Republic
THE VENEZUELA BOUNDARY DISCUSSION AND THE
WHIPPING POST, New York Journal
COLONEL SHEPARD'S STAGE HORSES, New York Morning
Advertiser
A REPLY TO THE REV. L. A. BANKS, Cleveland Plain Dealer
CUBA--ZOLA AND THEOSOPHY, Louisville Courier-Journal
HOW TO BECOME AN ORATOR, New York Sun
JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG AND EXPANSION, Philadelphia Press
PSYCHICAL RESEARCH AND THE BIBLE, New York Mind
THIS CENTURY'S GLORIES, New York Sun
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE WHIPPING POST, Chicago
Tribune

EXPANSION AND TRUSTS, Philadelphia North American
INTERVIEWS
THE BIBLE AND A FUTURE LIFE
Question. Colonel, are your views of religion based upon the Bible?
Answer. I regard the Bible, especially the Old Testament, the same as I
do most other ancient books, in which there is some truth, a great deal
of error, considerable barbarism and a most plentiful lack of good
sense.
Question. Have you found any other work, sacred or profane, which
you regard as more reliable?
Answer. I know of no book less so, in my judgment.
Question. You have studied the Bible attentively, have you not?
Answer. I have read the Bible. I have heard it talked about a good deal,
and am sufficiently well acquainted with it to justify my own mind in
utterly rejecting all claims made for its divine origin.
Question. What do you base your views upon?
Answer. On reason, observation, experience, upon the discoveries in
science, upon observed facts and the analogies properly growing out of
such facts. I have no confidence in anything pretending to be outside,
or independent of, or in any manner above nature.
Question. According to your views, what disposition is made of man
after death?
Answer. Upon that subject I know nothing. It is no more wonderful that
man should live again than he now lives; upon that question I know of
no evidence. The doctrine of immortality rests upon human affection.
We love, therefore we wish to live.

Question. Then you would not undertake to say what becomes of man
after death?
Answer. If I told or pretended to know what becomes of man after
death, I would be as dogmatic as are theologians upon this question.
The difference between them and me is, I am honest. I admit that I do
not know.
Question. Judging by your criticism of mankind, Colonel, in your
recent lecture, you have not found his condition very satisfactory?
Answer. Nature, outside of man, so far as I know, is neither cruel nor
merciful. I am not satisfied with the present condition of the human
race, nor with the condition of man during any period of which we have
any knowledge. I believe, however, the condition of man is improved,
and this improvement is due to his own exertions. I do not make nature
a being. I do not ascribe to nature intentions.
Question. Is your theory, Colonel, the result of investigation of the
subject?
Answer. No one can control his own opinion or his own belief. My
belief was forced upon me by my surroundings. I am the product of all
circumstances that have in any way touched me. I believe in this world.
I have no confidence in any religion promising joys in another world at
the expense of liberty and happiness in this. At the same time, I wish to
give