The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll Volume V Part 47

_Answer_. Of course, when you read the Bible, im- pressions are made upon your mind.

_Question_. Can I control these impressions?

_Answer_. I do not think you can, as long as you remain in a sinful state.

_Question_. How am I to get out of this sinful state?

_Answer_. You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you must read the Bible in a prayerful spirit and with a believing heart.

_Question_. Suppose that doubts force themselves upon my mind?

_Answer_. Then you will know that you are a sin- ner, and that you are depraved.

_Question_. If I have the right to read the Bible, have I the right to try to understand it?

_Answer_. Most a.s.suredly.

_Question_. Do you admit that I have the right to reason about it and to investigate it?

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_Answer_. Yes; I admit that. Of course you can- not help reasoning about what you read.

_Question_. Does the right to read a book include the right to give your opinion as to the truth of what the book contains?

_Answer_. Of course,--if the book is not inspired.

Infidels hate the Bible because it is inspired, and Christians know that it is inspired because infidels say that it is not.

_Question_. Have I the right to decide for myself whether or not the book is inspired?

_Answer_. You have no right to deny the truth of G.o.d's Holy Word.

_Question_. Is G.o.d the author of all books?

_Answer_. Certainly not.

_Question_. Have I the right to say that G.o.d did not write the Koran?

_Answer_. Yes.

_Question_. Why?

_Answer_. Because the Koran was written by an impostor.

_Question_. How do you know?

_Answer_. My reason tells me so.

_Question_. Have you the right to be guided by your reason?

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_Answer_. I must be.

_Question_. Have you the same right to follow your reason after reading the Bible?

_Answer_. No. The Bible is the standard of reason.

The Bible is not to be judged or corrected by your reason. Your reason is to be weighed and measured by the Bible. The Bible is different from other books and must not be read in the same critical spirit, nor judged by the same standard.

_Question_. What did G.o.d give us reason for?

_Answer_. So that we might investigate other religions, and examine other so-called sacred books.

_Question_. If a man honestly thinks that the Bible is not inspired, what should he say?

_Answer_. He should admit that he is mistaken.

_Question_. When he thinks he is right?

_Answer_. Yes. The Bible is different from other books. It is the master of reason. You read the Bible, not to see if that is wrong, but to see whether your reason is right. It is the only book about which a man has no right to reason. He must believe. The Bible is addressed, not to the reason, but to the ears: "He that hath ears to hear, let "him hear."

_Question_. Do you think we have the right to tell

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what the Bible means--what ideas G.o.d intended to convey, or has conveyed to us, through the medium of the Bible?

_Answer_. Well, I suppose you have that right.

Yes, that must be your duty. You certainly ought to tell others what G.o.d has said to you.

_Question_. Do all men get the same ideas from the Bible?

_Answer_. No.

_Question_. How do you account for that?

_Answer_. Because all men are not alike; they differ in intellect, in education, and in experience.

_Question_. Who has the right to decide as to the real ideas that G.o.d intended to convey?

_Answer_. I am a Protestant, and believe in the right of private judgment. Whoever does not is a Catholic. Each man must be his own judge, but G.o.d will hold him responsible.

_Question_. Does G.o.d believe in the right of private judgment?

_Answer_. Of course he does.

_Question_. Is he willing that I should exercise my judgment in deciding whether the Bible is inspired or not?

_Answer_. No. He believes in the exercise of