ts are more actuated by self-interest, than unbelievers

188. Pride, presumption, and badness, are more often found in priests,
than in Atheists

189. Prejudices last but for a time: no power is durable which is not
founded upon truth

190. What an honourable power ministers of the Gods would obtain,
if they became the apostles of reason and the defenders of liberty!

191. What a glorious and happy revolution it would be for the world,
if Philosophy were substituted for Religion!

192. The recantation of an unbeliever at the point of death proves
nothing against the reasonableness of unbelief

193. It is not true that Atheism breaks the bonds of society

194. Refutation of the often repeated opinion, that Religion is necessary
for the vulgar

195. Logical and argumentative systems are not adapted to the capacity
of the vulgar

196. On the futility and danger of Theology

197, 198. On the evils produced by implicit faith

199. History teaches us, that all Religions were established by
impostors, in days of ignorance

200. All Religions, ancient or modern, have borrowed from one
another ridiculous ceremonies

201. Theology has always diverted philosophy from its right path

202. Theology explains nothing

203, 204. Theology has always fettered Morality, and retarded progress

205. It cannot be too often repeated and proved, that Religion is an
extravagance and a calamity

206. Religion prevents us from seeing the true causes of misfortunes

GOOD SENSE WITHOUT GOD

APOLOGUE

1.

There is a vast empire, governed by a monarch, whose strange conduct is
to confound the minds of his subjects. He wishes to be known, loved,
respected, obeyed; but never shows himself to his subjects, and everything
conspires to render uncertain the ideas formed of his character.

The people, subjected to his power, have, of the character and laws of
their invisible sovereign, such ideas only, as his ministers give them.
They, however, confess, that they have no idea of their master; that his
ways are impenetrable; his views and nature totally incomprehensible.
These ministers, likewise, disagree upon the commands which they pretend
have been issued by the sovereign, whose servants they call themselves.
They defame one another, and mutually treat each other as impostors and
f