Words from Robert Ingersoll - 4

[T]he object of every religion ever made by man has been to get on the good side of supposed powers; has been to petition the gods to stop the eathquakes, to stop famine, to stop pestilence. It has always been something that man should do to prevent being punished by powers of the air or to get from them some favors. It has always been believed that these ghosts could in some way be appeased... Under these conditions progress was almost impossible. Fear paralyzed the brain.

Progress is born of courage. Fear believes, courage doubts. Fear falls upon the earth and prays; courage stands erect and thinks. Fear retreats; courage advances. Fear is barbarism, courage is civilization. Fear believes in witchcraft; courage in science and in eternal law....

Take from the church itself the threat and fear of hell and it becomes an extinct volcano. With the doctrine of hell taken from the Church, that is the end of the fall of man, that is the end of the scheme of atonement. Take from them the idea of an eternal place of torment, and the Church is thrown back simply upon facts.

The Ghosts