SUPERSTITION. 1898 I. WHAT IS SUPERSTITION? To believe in spite of evidence o To $cco#nt fo !it"o#t evidence.

one %&ste & b& $not"e . c$p ice.

To believe t"$t t"e !o ld is 'ove ned b& c"$nce o To dis e'$ d t"e t #e

el$tion bet!een c$#se $nd effect.

To p#t t"o#'"t( intention $nd desi'n b$c) of n$t# e. To believe t"$t %ind c e$ted $nd cont ols %$tte . To believe in fo ce $p$ t f o% s#bst$nce( o $p$ t f o% fo ce. in s#bst$nce

To believe in %i $cles( spells $nd c"$ %s( in d e$%s $nd p op"ecies. To believe in t"e s#pe n$t# $l. T"e fo#nd$tion of s#pe stition is i'no $nce( t"e s#pe st #ct# e is f$it" $nd t"e do%e is $ v$in "ope. S#pe stition is t"e c"ild of i'no $nce $nd t"e %ot"e of %ise &. In ne$ l& eve & b $in is fo#nd so%e clo#d of s#pe stition. A !o%$n d ops $ clot" !it" !"ic" s"e is !$s"in' dis"es( $nd s"e e*cl$i%s+ ,T"$t %e$ns co%p$n&., -ost people !ill $d%it t"$t t"e e is no possible connection bet!een d oppin' t"e clot" $nd t"e co%in' of visito s. T"e f$llin' clot" co#ld not "$ve p#t t"e visit desi e in t"e %inds of people not p esent( $nd "o! co#ld t"e clot" p od#ce t"e desi e to visit t"e p$ tic#l$ pe son !"o d opped it? T"e e is no possible connection bet!een t"e d oppin' of t"e clot" $nd t"e $nticip$ted effects. A %$n c$tc"es $ 'li%pse of t"e ne! %oon ove s"o#lde ( $nd "e s$&s+ ,T"is is b$d l#c)., .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 1 SUPERSTITION. To see t"e %oon ove t"e i'"t o left s"o#lde ( o not to see it( co#ld not b& $n& possibilit& $ffect t"e %oon( neit"e co#ld it c"$n'e t"e effect o infl#ence of t"e %oon on $n& e$ t"l& t"in'. 6e t$inl& t"e left7s"o#lde 'l$nce co#ld in no !$& $ffect t"e "is left

n$t# e of t"in's. All t"e f$cts in n$t# e !o#ld e%$in t"e s$%e $s t"o#'"t t"e 'l$nce "$d been ove t"e i'"t s"o#lde . We see no connection bet!een t"e left s"o#lde 'l$nce $nd $n& possible evil effects #pon t"e one !"o s$! t"e %oon in t"is !$&. A 'i l co#nts t"e le$ves of $ flo!e ( $nd s"e s$&s+ ,One( "e co%es8 t!o( "e t$ ies8 t" ee( "e co# ts8 fo# ( "e %$ ies8 five( "e 'oes $!$&., Of co# se t"e flo!e did not ' o!( $nd t"e n#%be of its le$ves !$s not dete %ined !it" efe ence to t"e co# ts"ip o %$ i$'e of t"is 'i l( neit"e co#ld t"e e "$ve been $n& intelli'ence t"$t '#ided "e "$nd !"en s"e selected t"$t p$ tic#l$ flo!e . So( co#ntin' t"e seeds in $n $pple c$nnot in $n& !$& dete %ine !"et"e t"e f#t# e of $n individ#$l is to be "$pp& o %ise $ble. T"o#s$nds of pe sons believe in l#c)& $nd #nl#c)& d$&s( n#%be s( si'ns $nd 9e!els. -$n& people e'$ d : id$& $s $n #nl#c)& d$& 77 $s $ b$d d$& to co%%ence $ 9o# ne&( to %$ &( to %$)e $n& invest%ent. T"e onl& e$son 'iven is t"$t : id$& is $n #nl#c)& d$&. St$ tin' $c oss t"e se$ on : id$& co#ld "$ve no possible effect #pon t"e !inds( o !$ves( o tides( $n& %o e t"$n st$ tin' on $n& ot"e d$&( $nd t"e onl& possible e$son fo t"in)in' : id$& #nl#c)& is t"e $sse tion t"$t it is so. So it is t"o#'"t b& %$n& t"$t it is d$n'e o#s fo t"i teen people to dine to'et"e . No!( if t"i teen is $ d$n'e o#s n#%be ( t!ent&7si* o#'"t to be t!ice $s d$n'e o#s( $nd fift&7t!o fo# ti%es $s te ible. It is s$id t"$t one of t"e t"i teen !ill die in $ &e$ No!( t"e e is no possible el$tion bet!een t"e n#%be $nd t"e di'estion of e$c"( bet!een t"e n#%be $nd t"e individ#$l dise$ses. If fo# teen dine to'et"e t"e e is ' e$te p ob$bilit&( if !e t$)e into $cco#nt onl& t"e n#%be ( of $ de$t" !it"in t"e &e$ ( t"$n t"e e !o#ld be if onl& t"i teen !e e $t t"e t$ble. Ove t# nin' t"e s$lt is ve & #nl#c)&( b#t spillin' t"e vine'$ %$)es no diffe ence. W"& s$lt s"o#ld be been told. even'ef#l $nd vine'$ fo 'ivin' "$s neve

If t"e fi st pe son !"o ente s $ t"e$te is c oss e&ed( t"e $#dience !ill be s%$ll $nd t"e , #n, $ f$il# e. Ho! t"e pec#li$ it& of t"e e&es of t"e fi st one !"o ente s( c"$n'es t"e intention of $ co%%#nit&( o "o! t"e intentions of $ co%%#nit& c$#se t"e c oss7e&ed %$n to 'o e$ l&( "$s neve been .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51

/ SUPERSTITION. s$tisf$cto il& e*pl$ined. .et!een t"is so7c$lled c$#se $nd t"e so7 c$lled effect t"e e is( so f$ $s !e c$n see( no possible el$tion. To !e$ $n op$l is b$d l#c)( b#t #bies b in' "e$lt". Ho! t"ese stones $ffect t"e f#t# e( "o! t"e& dest o& c$#ses $nd defe$t effects( no one p etends to )no!. So( t"e e $ e t"o#s$nds of l#c)& $nd #nl#c)& t"in's( !$ nin's( o%ens $nd p op"ecies( b#t $ll sensible( s$ne $nd e$sonin' "#%$n bein's )no! t"$t eve & one is $n $bs# d $nd idiotic s#pe stition. 1et #s t$)e $not"e step+

:o %$n& cent# ies it !$s believed t"$t eclipses of t"e s#n $nd %oon !e e p op"etic of pestilence o f$%ine( $nd t"$t co%ets fo etold t"e de$t" of )in's( o t"e dest #ction of n$tions( t"e co%in' of !$ o pl$'#e. All st $n'e $ppe$ $nces in t"e "e$vens 77 t"e No t"e n 1i'"ts( ci cles $bo#t t"e %oon( s#n do's( f$llin' st$ s 77 filled o# intelli'ent $ncesto s !it" te o . T"e& fell #pon t"ei )nees 77 did t"ei best !it" s$c ifice $nd p $&e to $void t"e t" e$tened dis$ste . T"ei f$ces !e e $s"en !it" fe$ $s t"e& closed t"ei e&es $nd c ied to t"e "e$vens fo "elp. T"e cle '&( !"o !e e $s f$%ili$ !it" ;od t"en $s t"e o t"odo* p e$c"e s $ e no!( )ne! e*$ctl& t"e %e$nin' of eclipses $nd s#n do's $nd No t"e n 1i'"ts8 )ne! t"$t ;od<s p$tience !$s ne$ l& e*"$#sted8 t"$t "e !$s t"en !"ettin' t"e s!o d of "is ! $t"( $nd t"$t t"e people co#ld s$ve t"e%selves onl& b& obe&in' t"e p iests( b& co#ntin' t"ei be$ds $nd do#blin' t"ei s#bsc iptions. E$ t"=#$)es $nd c&clones filled t"e coffe s of t"e c"# c". In t"e %idst of dis$ste s t"e %ise ( !it" t e%blin' "$nds( opened "is p# se. In t"e 'loo% of eclipses t"ieves $nd obbe s divided t"ei boot& !it" ;od( $nd poo ( "onest( i'no $nt 'i ls( e%e%be in' t"$t t"e& "$d fo 'otten to s$& $ p $&e ( '$ve t"ei little e$ nin's to soften t"e "e$ t of ;od. No! !e )no! t"$t $ll t"ese si'ns $nd !onde s in t"e "e$vens "$ve not"in' to do !it" t"e f$te of )in's( n$tions o individ#$ls8 t"$t t"e& "$d no %o e efe ence to "#%$n bein's t"$n to colonies of $nts( "ives of bees o t"e e''s of insects. We no! )no! t"$t t"e si'ns $nd eclipses( t"e co%ets( $nd t"e f$llin' st$ s( !o#ld "$ve been 9#st t"e s$%e if not $ "#%$n bein' "$d been #pon t"e e$ t". We )no! no! t"$t eclipses co%e $t ce t$in ti%es $nd t"$t t"ei co%in' c$n be e*$ctl& fo etold. A little !"ile $'o t"e belief !$s 'ene $l t"$t t"e e !e e ce t$in "e$lin' vi t#es in in$ni%$te t"in's( in t"e bones of "ol& %en $nd !o%en( in t"e $'s t"$t "$d been to n f o% t"e fo#l clot"in' of still fo!le s$ints( in "$i s f o% %$ t& s( in bits of !ood $nd #st& n$ils f o% t"e t #e c oss( in t"e teet" $nd fin'e n$ils of pio#s %en( $nd in $ t"o#s$nd ot"e s$c ed t"in's. T"e dise$sed !e e c# ed b& )issin' $ bo* in !"ic" !$s )ept

so%e bone( o $'( o )iss !$s p eceded( o c"# c".

bit of !ood( so%e "ol& "$i s( p ovided t"e follo!ed b& $ 'ift 77 $ so%et"in' fo t"e

.$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 > SUPERSTITION. In so%e %&ste io#s !$& t"e vi t#e in t"e bone( o $'( o piece of !ood( c ept o flo!ed f o% t"e bo*( too) possession of t"e sic) !"o "$d t"e necess$ & f$it"( $nd in t"e n$%e of ;od d ove o#t t"e devils !"o !e e t"e e$l dise$se. T"is belief in t"e effic$c& of bones o $'s $nd "ol& "$i !$s bo n of $not"e belief 77 t"e belief t"$t $ll dise$ses !e e p od#ced b& evil spi its. T"e ins$ne !e e s#pposed to be possessed b& devils. Epileps& $nd "&ste i$ !e e p od#ced b& t"e i%ps of S$t$n. In s"o t( eve & "#%$n $ffliction !$s t"e !o ) of t"e %$licio#s e%iss$ ies of t"e 'od of "ell. T"is belief !$s $l%ost #nive s$l( $nd even in o# ti%e t"e s$c ed bones $ e believed in b& %illions of people. .#t to7d$& no intelli'ent %$n believes in t"e e*istence of devils 77 no intelli'ent %$n believes t"$t evil spi its c$#se dise$se 77 conse=#entl&( no intelli'ent pe son believes t"$t "ol& bones o $'s( s$c ed "$i s o pieces of !ood( c$n d ive dise$se o#t( o in $n& !$& b in' b$c) to t"e p$llid c"ee) t"e ose of "e$lt". Intelli'ent people no! )no! t"$t t"e bone of $ s$int "$s in it no ' e$te vi t#e t"$n t"e bone of $n& $ni%$l. T"$t $ $' f o% $ !$nde in' be''$ is 9#st $s 'ood $s one f o% $ s$int( $nd t"$t t"e "$i of $ "o se !ill c# e dise$se 9#st $s =#ic)l& $nd s# el& $s t"e "$i of $ %$ t& . We no! )no! t"$t $ll t"e s$c ed elics $ e eli'io#s #bbis"8 t"$t t"ose !"o #se t"e% $ e fo t"e %ost p$ t dis"onest( $nd t"$t t"ose !"o el& on t"e% $ e $l%ost idiotic. T"is belief in $%#lets $nd c"$ %s( in '"osts $nd devils( is s#pe stition( p# e $nd si%ple. O# $ncesto s did not e'$ d t"ese elics $s %edicine( "$vin' $ c# $tive po!e ( b#t t"e ide$ !$s t"$t evil spi its stood in d e$d of "ol& t"in's 77 t"$t t"e& fled f o% t"e bone of $ s$int( t"$t t"e& fe$ ed $ piece of t"e t #e c oss( $nd t"$t !"en "ol& !$te !$s sp in)led on $ %$n t"e& i%%edi$tel& left t"e p e%ises. So( t"ese devils "$ted $nd d e$ded t"e so#nd of "ol& bells( t"e li'"t of s$c ed t$pe s( $nd( $bove $ll( t"e eve 7blessed c oss. In t"ose d$&s t"e p iests !e e fis"e s fo #sed t"ese elics fo b$it. II %one&( $nd t"e&

1et #s t$)e $not"e fo

step+

T"is belief in t"e ?evil $nd evil spi its l$id t"e fo#nd$tion $not"e belief+ Witc"c $ft.

It !$s believed t"$t t"e devil "$d ce t$in t"in's to 'ive in e*c"$n'e fo $ so#l. T"e old %$n( bo!ed $nd b o)en( co#ld 'et b$c) "is &o#t" 77 t"e o#nded fo %( t"e b o!n "$i ( t"e le$pin' "e$ t of life<s %o nin' 77 if "e !o#ld si'n $nd se$l $!$& "is so#l. So( it !$s t"o#'"t t"$t t"e %$licio#s co#ld b& c"$ % $nd spell obt$in even'e( t"$t t"e poo co#ld be en ic"ed( $nd t"$t t"e $%bitio#s co#ld ise to pl$ce $nd po!e . All t"e 'ood t"in's of t"is life .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 4 SUPERSTITION. !e e $t t"e dispos$l of t"e ?evil. :o t"ose !"o esisted t"e te%pt$tions of t"e Evil One( e!$ ds !e e !$itin' in $not"e !o ld( b#t t"e ?evil e!$ ded "e e in t"is life. No one "$s i%$'in$tion eno#'" to p$int t"e $'onies t"$t !e e end# ed b& e$son of t"is belief in !itc"c $ft. T"in) of t"e f$%ilies dest o&ed( of t"e f$t"e s $nd %ot"e s c$st in p ison( to t# ed $nd b# ned( of t"e fi esides d$ )ened( of t"e c"ild en %# de ed( of t"e old( t"e poo $nd "elpless t"$t !e e st etc"ed on $c)s %$n'led $nd fl$&ed@ T"in) of t"e d$&s !"en s#pe stition $nd fe$ !e e in eve & "o#se( in eve & %ind( !"en $cc#s$tion !$s conviction( !"en $sse tion of innocence !$s e'$ ded $s $ confession of '#ilt( $nd !"en 6" istendo% !$s ins$ne@ No! !e )no! t"$t $ll of t"ese "o o s !e e t"e es#lt of s#pe stition. No! !e )no! t"$t i'no $nce !$s t"e %ot"e of $ll t"e $'onies end# ed. No! !e )no! t"$t !itc"es neve lived( t"$t "#%$n bein's neve b$ '$ined !it" $n& devil( $nd t"$t o# pio#s s$v$'e $ncesto s !e e %ist$)en. 1et #s t$)e $not"e step+

O# f$t"e s believed in %i $cles( in si'ns $nd !onde s( eclipses $nd co%ets( in t"e vi t#es of bones( $nd in t"e po!e s $tt ib#ted to evil spi its. All t"ese belon'ed to t"e %i $c#lo#s. T"e !o ld !$s s#pposed to be f#ll of %$'ic8 t"e spi its !e e slei'"t7of7"$nd pe fo %e s 77 nec o%$nce s. T"e e !e e no n$t# $l c$#ses be"ind events. A devil !is"ed( $nd it "$ppened. One !"o "$d sold "is so#l to S$t$n %$de $ fe! %otions( #tte ed so%e st $n'e !o ds( $nd t"e event !$s p esent. N$t# $l c$#ses !e e not believed in. ?el#sion $nd ill#sion( t"e %onst o#s $nd %i $c#lo#s( #led t"e !o ld. T"e fo#nd$tion !$s 'one 77 e$son "$d $bdic$ted. 6 ed#lit& '$ve ton'#es $nd !in's to lies( !"ile t"e d#%b $nd li%pin' f$cts !e e left be"ind 77 !e e dis e'$ ded $nd e%$ined #ntold. WHAT IS A -IRA61E?

An $ct pe fo %ed b& $ %$ste of n$t# e !it"o#t efe ence to t"e f$cts in n$t# e. T"is is t"e onl& "onest definition of $ %i $cle. If $ %$n co#ld %$)e $ pe fect ci cle( t"e di$%ete of !"ic" !$s e*$ctl& one7"$lf t"e ci c#%fe ence( t"$t !o#ld be $ %i $cle in 'eo%et &. If $ %$n co#ld %$)e t!ice fo# ( nine( t"$t !o#ld be $ %i $cle in %$t"e%$tics. If $ %$n co#ld %$)e $ stone( f$llin' in t"e $i ( p$ss t" o#'" $ sp$ce of ten feet t"e fi st second( t!ent&7five feet t"e second second( $nd five feet t"e t"i d second( t"$t !o#ld be $ %i $cle in p"&sics. If $ %$n co#ld p#t to'et"e "&d o'en( o*&'en $nd nit o'en $nd p od#ce p# e 'old( t"$t !o#ld be $ %i $cle in c"e%ist &. If $ %iniste !e e to p ove "is c eed( t"$t !o#ld be $ t"eolo'ic$l %i $cle. If 6on' ess b& l$! !o#ld %$)e fift& cents !o t" of silve !o t" $ doll$ ( t"$t !o#ld be $ fin$nci$l %i $cle. To %$)e $ s=#$ e t i$n'le !o#ld be $ %ost !onde f#l %i $cle. To c$#se $ %i o to eflect t"e f$ces of pe sons !"o st$nd be"ind it( inste$d of t"ose !"o st$nd in f ont( !o#ld be $ %i $cle. To %$)e ec"o $ns!e $ =#estion !o#ld be $ %i $cle. In ot"e !o ds( to do $n&t"in' cont $ & to o !it"o#t e'$ d to t"e f$cts in n$t# e is to pe fo % $ %i $cle. .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 A SUPERSTITION. No! !e $ e convinced of !"$t is c$lled t"e ,#nifo %it& of n$t# e., We believe t"$t $ll t"in's $ct $nd $ e $cted #pon in $cco d$nce !it" t"ei n$t# e8 t"$t #nde li)e conditions t"e es#lts !ill $l!$&s be s#bst$nti$ll& t"e s$%e8 t"$t li)e eve "$s $nd eve !ill p od#ce li)e. We no! believe t"$t events "$ve n$t# $l p$ ents $nd t"$t none die c"ildless. -i $cles $ e not si%pl& i%possible( b#t t"e& $ e #nt"in)$ble b& $n& %$n c$p$ble of t"in)in'. o No! $n intelli'ent %$n c$nnot believe t"$t $ %i $cle eve eve !ill be( pe fo %ed. I'no $nce is t"e soil in !"ic" belief in %i $cles ' o!s. III 1et #s t$)e $not"e step+ !$s(

W"ile o# $ncesto s filled t"e d$ )ness !it" evil spi its( ene%ies of %$n)ind( t"e& $lso believed in t"e e*istence of 'ood spi its. T"ese 'ood spi its s#st$ined t"e s$%e el$tion to ;od t"$t t"e evil ones did to t"e ?evil. T"ese 'ood spi its p otected t"e f$it"f#l f o% t"e te%pt$tions $nd sn$ es of t"e Evil One. T"e& too) c$ e of t"ose !"o c$ ied $%#lets $nd c"$ %s( of t"ose !"o epe$ted p $&e s $nd co#nted be$ds( of t"ose !"o f$sted $nd pe fo %ed ce e%onies. T"ese 'ood spi its !o#ld t# n $side t"e s!o d $nd $ o! f o% t"e b e$st of t"e f$it"f#l. T"e& %$de poison "$ %less( t"e& p otected t"e c ed#lo#s( $nd in $ t"o#s$nd !$&s defended $nd

esc#ed t"e t #e believe . T"e& d ove do#bts f o% t"e %inds of t"e pio#s( so!ed t"e seeds of c ed#lit& $nd f$it"( s$ved s$ints f o% t"e !iles of !o%en( p$inted t"e 'lo ies of "e$ven fo t"ose !"o f$sted $nd p $&ed( %$de it possible fo t"e e$ll& 'ood to dispense !it" t"e ple$s# es of sense $nd to "$te t"e ?evil. T"ese $n'els !$tc"ed ove inf$nts !"o "$d been b$ptiBed( ove pe sons !"o "$d %$de "ol& vo!s( ove p iests $nd n#ns $nd !$nde in' be''$ s !"o believed. T"ese spi its !e e of v$ io#s )inds+ So%e "$d once been !o%en. so%e "$d neve lived in t"is !o ld( $nd so%e "$d been f o% t"e co%%ence%ent. Nobod& p etended to )no! e*$ctl& !"$t !e e( o e*$ctl& "o! t"e& loo)ed( o in !"$t !$& t"e& !ent f pl$ce to pl$ce( o "o! t"e& $ffected o cont olled t"e %inds %en. %en o $n'els t"e& o% of

It !$s believed t"$t t"e )in' of $ll t"ese evil spi its !$s t"e ?evil( $nd t"$t t"e )in' of $ll t"e 'ood spi its !$s ;od. It !$s $lso believed t"$t ;od !$s in f$ct t"e )in' of $ll( $nd t"$t t"e ?evil "i%self !$s one of t"e c"ild en of t"is ;od. T"is ;od $nd t"is ?evil !e e $t !$ ( e$c" t &in' to sec# e t"e so#ls of %en. ;od offe ed t"e e!$ ds of ete n$l 9o& $nd t" e$tened ete n$l p$in. T"e ?evil b$ited "is t $ps !it" p esent ple$s# e( !it" t"e ' $tific$tion of t"e senses( !it" t"e ecst$sies of love( $nd l$#'"ed $t t"e 9o&s of "e$ven $nd t"e p$n's of "ell. Wit" %$licio#s "$nd "e so!ed t"e seeds of do#bt 77 ind#ced %en to investi'$te( to e$son( to c$ll fo evidence( to el& #pon t"e%selves8 pl$nted in .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 0 SUPERSTITION. t"ei "e$ ts t"e love of libe t&( $ssisted t"e% to b e$) t"ei c"$ins( to esc$pe f o% t"ei p isons $nd beso#'"t t"e% to t"in). In t"is !$& "e co #pted t"e c"ild en of %en. O# f$t"e s believed t"$t t"e& co#ld b& p $&e ( b& s$c ifice( b& f$stin'( b& pe fo %in' ce t$in ce e%onies( '$in t"e $ssist$nce of t"is ;od $nd of t"ese 'ood spi its. T"e& !e e not =#ite lo'ic$l. T"e& did not believe t"$t t"e ?evil !$s t"e $#t"o of $ll evil. T"e& t"o#'"t t"$t flood $nd f$%ine( pl$'#e $nd c&clone( e$ t"=#$)e $nd !$ ( !e e so%eti%es sent b& ;od $s p#nis"%ent fo #nbelief. T"e& fell #pon t"ei )nees $nd !it" !"ite lips( p $&ed t"e 'ood ;od to st$& "is "$nd. T"e& "#%bled t"e%selves( confessed t"ei sins( $nd filled t"e "e$vens !it" t"ei vo!s $nd c ies. Wit" p iests $nd p $&e s t"e& t ied to st$& t"e pl$'#e. T"e& )issed t"e elics( fell $t s" ines( beso#'"t t"e Ci 'in $nd t"e s$ints( b#t t"e p $&e s $ll died in t"e "e$ tless $i ( $nd t"e pl$'#e s!ept on to its n$t# $l end. O# poo f$t"e s )ne! not"in' of $n& science. .$c) of $ll events t"e& p#t spi its( 'ood o b$d( $n'els o de%ons( 'ods o devils. To t"e% not"in' "$d !"$t !e c$ll $ n$t# $l c$#se. Eve &t"in' !$s t"e !o ) of spi its. All !$s done b& t"e s#pe n$t# $l( $nd eve &t"in' !$s done b& evil spi its t"$t t"e&

co#ld do to #in( p#nis"( %isle$d $nd d$%n t"e c"ild en of %en. T"is !o ld !$s $ field of b$ttle( $nd "e e t"e "osts of "e$ven $nd "ell !$'ed !$ . IC No! no %$n in !"ose b $in t"e to c" of e$son b# ns( no %$n !"o investi'$tes( !"o e$ll& t"in)s( !"o is c$p$ble of !ei'"in' evidence( believes in si'ns( in l#c)& o #nl#c)& d$&s( in l#c)& o #nl#c)& n#%be s. He )no!s t"$t : id$&s $nd T"# sd$&s $ e $li)e8 t"$t t"i teen is no %o e de$dl& t"$n t!elve. He )no!s t"$t op$ls $ffect t"e !e$ e t"e s$%e $s #bies( di$%onds o co%%on 'l$ss. He )no!s t"$t t"e %$t i%oni$l c"$nces of $ %$iden $ e not inc e$sed o dec e$sed b& t"e n#%be of le$ves of $ flo!e o seeds in $n $pple. He )no!s t"$t $ 'l$nce $t t"e %oon ove t"e left s"o#lde is $s "e$lt"f#l $nd l#c)& $s one ove t"e i'"t. He does not c$ e !"et"e t"e fi st co%e to $ t"e$te is c oss7e&ed o "#%p7b$c)ed( bo!7 le''ed( o $s !ell7p opo tioned $s Apollo. He )no!s t"$t $ st $n'e c$t co#ld be denied $s&l#% !it"o#t b in'in' $n& %isfo t#ne to t"e f$%il&. He )no!s t"$t $n o!l does not "oot in t"e f#ll of t"e %oon bec$#se $ distin'#is"ed %$n is $bo#t to die. He )no!s t"$t co%ets $nd eclipses !o#ld co%e if $ll t"e fol)s !e e de$d. He is not f i'"tened b& s#n do's( o t"e -o nin' of t"e No t" !"en t"e 'litte in' l$nces pie ce t"e s"ield of ni'"t. He )no!s t"$t $ll t"ese t"in's occ# !it"o#t t"e sli'"test efe ence to t"e "#%$n $ce. He feels ce t$in t"$t floods !o#ld dest o& $nd c&clones end $nd e$ t"=#$)es devo# 8 t"$t t"e st$ s !o#ld s"ine8 t"$t d$& $nd ni'"t !o#ld still p# s#e e$c" ot"e $ o#nd t"e !o ld8 t"$t flo!e s !o#ld 'ive t"ei pe f#%e to t"e $i ( $nd li'"t !o#ld p$int t"e seven7"#ed $ c" #pon t"e d#s)& boso% of t"e clo#d if eve & "#%$n bein' !$s #nconscio#s d#st. A %$n of t"o#'"t $nd sense does not believe in t"e e*istence of t"e ?evil. He feels ce t$in t"$t i%ps( 'oblins( de%ons $nd evil spi its e*ist onl& in t"e i%$'in$tion of t"e i'no $nt $nd f i'"tened. He )no!s "o! t"ese %$levolent %&t"s !e e %$de. He )no!s .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 D SUPERSTITION. t"e p$ t t"e& "$ve pl$&ed in $ll eli'ions. He )no!s t"$t fo %$n& cent# ies $ belief in t"ese devils( t"ese evil spi its( !$s s#bst$nti$ll& #nive s$l. He )no!s t"$t t"e p iest believed $s fi %l& $s t"e pe$s$nt. In t"ose d$&s t"e best ed#c$ted $nd t"e %ost i'no $nt !e e e=#$l d#pes. 2in's $nd co# tie s( l$dies $nd clo!ns( soldie s $nd $ tists( sl$ves $nd convicts( believed $s fi %l& in t"e ?evil $s t"e& did in ;od. .$c) of t"is belief t"e e is no evidence( $nd t"e e neve "$s been. T"is belief did not est on $n& f$ct. It !$s s#ppo ted b& %ist$)es( e*$''e $tions $nd lies. T"e %ist$)es !e e n$t# $l( t"e e*$''e $tions !e e %ostl& #nconscio#s $nd t"e lies !e e 'ene $ll& "onest. .$c) of t"ese %ist$)es( t"ese e*$''e $tions( t"ese lies(

!$s t"e love of t"e %$ velo#s. Wonde listened !it" ' eed& e$ s( !it" !ide e&es( $nd i'no $nce !it" open %o#t". T"e %$n of sense )no!s t"e "isto & of t"is belief( $nd "e )no!s( $lso( t"$t fo %$n& cent# ies its t #t" !$s est$blis"ed b& t"e Hol& .ible. He )no!s t"$t t"e Old Test$%ent is filled !it" $ll#sions to t"e ?evil( to evil spi its( $nd t"$t t"e Ne! Test$%ent is t"e s$%e. He )no!s t"$t 6" ist "i%self !$s $ believe in t"e ?evil( in evil spi its( $nd t"$t "is p incip$l b#siness !$s c$stin' o#t devils f o% t"e bodies of %en $nd !o%en. He )no!s t"$t 6" ist "i%self( $cco din' to t"e Ne! Test$%ent( !$s not onl& te%pted b& t"e ?evil( b#t !$s c$ ied b& "is S$t$nic Hi'"ness to t"e top of t"e te%ple. If t"e Ne! Test$%ent is t"e inspi ed !o d of ;od( t"en I $d%it t"$t t"ese devils( t"ese i%ps( do $ct#$ll& e*ist $nd t"$t t"e& do t$)e possession of "#%$n bein's. To den& t"e e*istence of t"ese evil spi its( to den& t"e e*istence of t"e ?evil( is to den& t"e t #t" of t"e Ne! Test$%ent. To den& t"e e*istence of t"ese i%ps of d$ )ness is to cont $dict t"e !o ds of Ees#s 6" ist. If t"ese devils do not e*ist( if t"e& do not c$#se dise$se( if t"e& do not te%pt $nd %isle$d t"ei victi%s( t"en 6" ist !$s $n i'no $nt( s#pe stitio#s %$n( ins$ne( $n i%posto ( o t"e Ne! Test$%ent is not $ t #e eco d of !"$t "e s$id $nd !"$t "e p etended to do. If !e 'ive #p t"e belief in devils( !e %#st 'ive #p t"e inspi $tion of t"e Old $nd Ne! Test$%ent. We %#st 'ive #p t"e divinit& of 6" ist. To den& t"e e*istence of evil spi its is to #tte l& dest o& t"e fo#nd$tion of 6" isti$nit&. T"e e is no "$lf7!$& ' o#nd. 6o%p o%ise is i%possible. If $ll t"e $cco#nts in t"e Ne! Test$%ent of c$stin' o#t devils $ e f$lse( !"$t p$ t of t"e .lessed .oo) is t #e? As $ %$tte of f$ct( t"e s#ccess of t"e ?evil in t"e ;$ den of Eden %$de t"e co%in' of 6" ist $ necessit&( l$id t"e fo#nd$tion fo t"e $tone%ent( c #cified t"e S$vio $nd '$ve #s t"e T init&. If t"e ?evil does not e*ist( t"e 6" isti$n c eeds $ll c #%ble( $nd t"e s#pe st #ct# e )no!n $s ,6" isti$nit&(, b#ilt b& t"e f$t"e s( b& popes( b& p iests $nd t"eolo'i$ns 77 b#ilt !it" %ist$)es $nd f$lse"oods( !it" %i $cles $nd !onde s( !it" blood $nd fl$%e( !it" lies $nd le'ends bo o!ed f o% t"e s$v$'e !o ld( beco%es $ s"$peless #in. If !e 'ive #p t"e belief in devils $nd evil spi its( !e $ e co%pelled to s$& t"$t $ !itc" neve lived. No sensible "#%$n bein' no! believes in !itc"c $ft. We )no! t"$t it !$s $ del#sion. We no! .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 8 SUPERSTITION. )no! t"$t t"o#s$nds $nd t"o#s$nds of innocent %en( !o%en $nd c"ild en !e e to t# ed $nd b# ned fo "$vin' been fo#nd '#ilt& of $n i%possible c i%e( $nd !e $lso )no!( if o# %inds "$ve not been defo %ed b& f$it"( t"$t $ll t"e boo)s in !"ic" t"e e*istence of !itc"es is t$#'"t !e e ! itten b& i'no $nt $nd s#pe stitio#s %en.

We $lso )no! t"$t t"e Old Test$%ent $sse ted t"e e*istence of !itc"es. Acco din' to t"$t Hol& .oo)( Ee"ov$" !$s $ believe in !itc"c $ft( $nd s$id to "is c"osen people+ ,T"o# s"$lt not s#ffe $ !itc" to live., T"is one co%%$nd%ent 77 t"is si%ple line 77 de%onst $tes t"$t Ee"ov$" !$s not onl& not ;od( b#t t"$t "e !$s $ poo ( i'no $nt( s#pe stitio#s s$v$'e. T"is one line p oves be&ond $ll possible do#bt t"$t t"e Old Test$%ent !$s ! itten b& %en( b& b$ b$ i$ns. Eo"n Wesle& !$s i'"t !"en "e s$id t"$t to 'ive #p $ belief in !itc"c $ft !$s to 'ive #p t"e .ible. ;ive #p t"e ?evil( $nd !"$t c$n &o# do !it" t"e .oo) of Eob? Ho! !ill &o# $cco#nt fo t"e l&in' spi its t"$t Ee"ov$" sent to %isle$d A"$b? -iniste s !"o $d%it t"$t !itc"c $ft is $ s#pe stition !ill e$d t"e sto & of t"e Witc" of Endo 77 !ill e$d it in $ sole%n( eve enti$l voice 77 !it" $ t"eolo'ic$l voice 77 $nd !ill "$ve t"e i%p#dence to s$& t"$t t"e& believe it. It !o#ld be deli'"tf#l to )no! t"$t $n'els "ove in t"e $i 8 t"$t t"e& '#$ d t"e innocent( p otect t"e 'ood8 t"$t t"e& bend ove t"e c $dles $nd 'ive "e$lt" $nd "$pp& d e$%s to p$llid b$bes8 t"$t t"e& fill d#n'eons !it" t"e li'"t of t"ei p esence $nd 'ive "ope to t"e i%p isoned8 t"$t t"e& follo! t"e f$llen( t"e e in'( t"e o#tc$sts( t"e f iendless( $nd !in t"e% b$c) to vi t#e( love $nd 9o&. .#t !e "$ve no %o e evidence of t"e e*istence of 'ood spi its t"$n of b$d. T"e $n'els t"$t visited Ab $"$% $nd t"e %ot"e of S$%son $ e $s #n e$l $s t"e '"osts $nd 'oblins of t"e -iddle A'es. T"e $n'el t"$t stopped t"e don)e& of .$$li%( t"e one !"o !$l)ed in t"e f# n$ce fl$%es !it" -es"ec"( S"$d $c) $nd Abedne'o( t"e one !"o sle! t"e Ass& i$ns $nd t"e one !"o in $ d e$% e%oved t"e s#spicions of Eosep"( !e e $ll c e$ted b& t"e i%$'in$tion of t"e c ed#lo#s( b& t"e love s of t"e %$ velo#s( $nd t"e& "$ve been "$nded do!n f o% dot$'e to inf$nc&( f o% i'no $nce to i'no $nce( t" o#'" $ll t"e &e$ s. E*cept in 6$t"olic co#nt ies( no !in'ed citiBen of t"e celesti$l e$l% "$s visited t"e !o ld fo "#nd eds of &e$ s. Onl& t"ose !"o $ e blind to f$cts c$n see t"ese be$#tif#l c e$t# es( $nd onl& t"ose !"o e$c" concl#sions !it"o#t t"e $ssist$nce of evidence c$n believe in t"ei e*istence. It is told t"$t t"e ' e$t An'elo( in deco $tin' $ c"# c"( p$inted so%e $n'els !e$ in' s$nd$ls. A c$ din$l loo)in' $t t"e pict# e s$id to t"e $ tist+ ,W"oeve s$! $n'els !it" s$nd$ls?, An'elo $ns!e ed !it" $not"e =#estion+ ,W"oeve s$! $n $n'el b$ e7footed?, T"e e*istence of $n'els "$s neve been est$blis"ed. Of co# se( !e )no! t"$t %illions $nd %illions "$ve believed in se $p"i% $nd c"e #bi%8 "$ve believed t"$t t"e $n'el ;$b iel contended !it" t"e ?evil fo t"e bod& of -oses8 t"$t $n'els s"#t t"e %o#t"s of t"e lions fo t"e p otection of ?$niel t"$t $n'els %iniste ed #nto .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 9

SUPERSTITION. 6" ist( $nd t"$t co#ntless $n'els !ill $cco%p$n& t"e S$vio !"en "e co%es to t$)e possession of t"e !o ld. And !e )no! t"$t $ll t"ese %illions believe t" o#'" blind( #n e$sonin' f$it"( "oldin' $ll evidence $nd $ll f$cts in t"eolo'ic$l conte%pt. .#t t"e $n'els co%e no %o e. T"e& b in' no b$l% to $n& !o#nded "e$ t. 1on' $'o t"e& folded t"ei pinions $nd f$ded f o% t"e e$ t" $nd $i . T"ese !in'ed '#$ di$ns no lon'e p otect t"e innocent8 no lon'e c"ee t"e s#ffe in'8 no lon'e !"ispe !o ds of co%fo t to t"e "elpless. T"e& "$ve beco%e d e$%s 77 v$nis"ed visions. C In t"e de$ old eli'io#s d$&s t"e e$ t" !$s fl$t 77 $ little dis"in'( if $n&t"in' 77 $nd 9#st $bove it !$s Ee"ov$"<s "o#se( $nd 9#st belo! it !$s !"e e t"e ?evil lived. ;od $nd "is $n'els in"$bited t"e t"i d sto &( t"e ?evil $nd "is i%ps t"e b$se%ent( $nd t"e "#%$n $ce t"e second floo . T"en t"e& )ne! !"e e "e$ven !$s. T"e& co#ld $l%ost "e$ t"e "$ ps $nd "$llel#9$"s. T"e& )ne! !"e e "ell !$s( $nd t"e& co#ld $l%ost "e$ t"e ' o$ns $nd s%ell t"e s#lp"# o#s f#%es. T"e& e'$ ded t"e volc$noes $s c"i%ne&s. T"e& !e e pe fectl& $c=#$inted !it" t"e celesti$l( t"e te est i$l $nd t"e infe n$l. T"e& !e e =#ite f$%ili$ !it" t"e Ne! Ee #s$le%( !it" its 'olden st eets $nd '$tes of pe$ l. T"en t"e t $nsl$tion of Enoc" see%ed e$son$ble eno#'"( $nd no one do#bted t"$t befo e t"e flood t"e sons of ;od c$%e do!n $nd %$de love to t"e d$#'"te s of %en. T"e t"eolo'i$ns t"o#'"t t"$t t"e b#ilde s of .$bel !o#ld "$ve s#cceeded if ;od "$d not co%e do!n $nd c$#sed t"e% to fo 'et t"e %e$nin' of !o ds. In t"ose blessed d$&s t"e p iests )ne! $ll $bo#t "e$ven $nd "ell. T"e& )ne! t"$t ;od 'ove ned t"e !o ld b& "ope $nd fe$ ( b& p o%ise $nd t" e$t( b& e!$ d $nd p#nis"%ent. T"e e!$ d !$s to be ete n$l $nd so !$s t"e p#nis"%ent. It !$s not ;od<s pl$n to develop t"e "#%$n b $in( so t"$t %$n !o#ld pe ceive $nd co%p e"end t"e i'"t $nd $void t"e ! on'. He t$#'"t i'no $nce( not"in' b#t obedience( $nd fo obedience "e offe ed ete n$l 9o&. He loved t"e s#b%issive 77 t"e )neele s $nd c $!le s. He "$ted t"e do#bte s( t"e investi'$to s( t"e t"in)e s( t"e p"ilosop"e s. :o t"e% "e c e$ted t"e ete n$l p ison !"e e "e co#ld feed fo eve t"e "#n'e of "is "$te. He loved t"e c ed#lo#s 77 t"ose !"o believed !it"o#t evidence 77 $nd fo t"e% "e p ep$ ed $ "o%e in t"e e$l% of f$deless li'"t. He deli'"ted in t"e co%p$n& of t"e =#estionless. .#t !"e e is t"is "e$ven( $nd !"e e is t"is "ell? We no! )no! t"$t "e$ven is not 9#st $bove t"e clo#ds $nd t"$t "ell is not 9#st belo! t"e e$ t". T"e telescope "$s done $!$& !it" t"e $ncient "e$ven( $nd t"e evolvin' !o ld "$s =#enc"ed t"e fl$%es of t"e $ncient "ell. T"ese t"eolo'ic$l co#nt ies( t"ese i%$'ined !o lds( "$ve dis$ppe$ ed. No one )no!s( $nd no one p etends to )no!( !"e e "e$ven is8 $nd no one )no!s( $nd no one p etends to )no!( t"e loc$lit& of "ell. No! t"e t"eolo'i$ns s$& t"$t "ell $nd "e$ven $ e not pl$ces( b#t st$tes of %ind7conditions.

T"e belief in 'ods $nd devils "$s been s#bst$nti$ll& #nive s$l. .$c) of t"e 'ood( %$n pl$ced $ 'od8 b$c) of t"e evil( $ .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 15 SUPERSTITION. devil8 b$c) of "e$lt"( s#ns"ine $nd "$ vest !$s $ 'ood deit&8 b$c) of dise$se( %isfo t#ne $nd de$t" "e pl$ced $ %$licio#s fiend. Is t"e e $n& evidence t"$t 'ods $nd devils e*ist? T"e evidence of t"e e*istence of $ 'od $nd of $ devil is s#bst$nti$ll& t"e s$%e. .ot" of t"ese deities $ e infe ences8 e$c" one is $ pe "$ps. T"e& "$ve not been seen 77 t"e& $ e invisible 77 $nd t"e& "$ve not vent# ed !it"in t"e "o iBon of t"e senses. T"e old l$d& !"o s$id t"e e %#st be $ devil( else "o! co#ld t"e& %$)e pict# es t"$t loo)ed e*$ctl& li)e "i%( e$soned li)e $ t $ined t"eolo'i$n 77 li)e $ docto of divinit&. No! no intelli'ent %$n believes in t"e e*istence of $ devil 77 no lon'e fe$ s t"e lee in' fiend. -ost people !"o t"in) "$ve 'iven #p $ pe son$l ;od( $ c e$tive deit&. T"e& no! t$l) $bo#t t"e ,Un)no!n(, t"e ,Infinite Ene '&(, b#t t"e& p#t Ee"ov$" !it" E#pite . T"e& e'$ d t"e% bot" $s b o)en dolls f o% t"e n# se & of t"e p$st. T"e %en o !o%en !"o $s) fo evidence 77 !"o desi e to )no! t"e t #t" 77 c$ e not"in' fo si'ns8 not"in' fo !"$t $ e c$lled !onde s8 not"in' fo l#c)& o #nl#c)& 9e!els( d$&s o n#%be s8 not"in' fo c"$ %s o $%#lets8 not"in' fo co%ets o eclipses. $nd "$ve no belief in 'ood o evil spi its( in 'ods o devils. T"e& pl$ce no eli$nce on 'ene $l o speci$l p ovidence 77 on $n& po!e t"$t esc#es( p otects $nd s$ves t"e 'ood o p#nis"es t"e vile $nd vicio#s. T"e& do not believe t"$t in t"e !"ole "isto & of %$n)ind $ p $&e "$s been $ns!e ed. T"e& t"in) t"$t $ll t"e s$c ifices "$ve been !$sted( $nd t"$t $ll t"e incense "$s $scended in v$in. T"e& do not believe t"$t t"e !o ld !$s c e$ted $nd p ep$ ed fo %$n $n& %o e t"$n it !$s c e$ted $nd p ep$ ed fo insects. T"e& do not t"in) it p ob$ble t"$t !"$les !e e invented to s#ppl& t"e Es)i%o !it" bl#bbe ( o t"$t fl$%es !e e c e$ted to $tt $ct $nd dest o& %ot"s. On eve & "$nd t"e e see%s to be evidence of desi'n( desi'n fo t"e $cco%plis"%ent of 'ood( desi'n fo t"e $cco%plis"%ent of evil. On eve & side $ e t"e benevolent $nd %$licio#s 77 so%et"in' toilin' to p ese ve( so%et"in' l$bo in' to dest o&. Eve &t"in' s# o#nded b& f iends $nd ene%ies 77 b& t"e love t"$t p otects( b& t"e "$te t"$t )ills. ?esi'n is $s $pp$ ent in dec$&( $s in ' o!t"8 in f$il# e( $s in s#ccess8 in ' ief( $s in 9o&. N$t# e !it" one "$nd b#ildin'( !it" one "$nd te$ in' do!n( $ %ed !it" s!o d $nd s"ield 77 sl$&in' $nd p otectin'( $nd p otectin' b#t to sl$&. All life 9o# ne&in' to!$ d de$t"( $nd $ll de$t" "$stenin' b$c) to life. Eve &!"e e !$ste $nd econo%&( c$ e $nd ne'li'ence. We !$tc" t"e flo! $nd ebb of life $nd de$t" 77 t"e ' e$t d $%$

t"$t fo eve "olds t"e st$'e( !"e e pl$&e s $ct t"ei p$ ts $nd dis$ppe$ 8 t"e ' e$t d $%$ in !"ic" $ll %#st $ct 77 i'no $nt $nd le$ ned( idiotic $nd ins$ne 77 !it"o#t e"e$ s$l $nd !it"o#t t"e sli'"test )no!led'e of $ p$ t( o of $n& plot o p# pose in t"e pl$&. T"e scene s"ifts8 so%e $cto s dis$ppe$ $nd ot"e s co%e( $nd $'$in t"e scene s"ifts8 %&ste & eve &!"e e. We t & to e*pl$in( $nd t"e e*pl$n$tion of one f$ct cont $dicts $not"e . .e"ind e$c" veil e%oved( $not"e . All t"in's e=#$l in !onde . One d op of !$te $s !onde f#l $s $ll t"e se$s8 one ' $in of s$nd $s $ll t"e !o ld8 one %ot" !it" p$inted !in's $s $ll t"e t"in's t"$t live8 one e'' f o% !"ic" !$ %t"( in d$ )ness( !oos to life $n o '$niBed $nd b e$t"in' .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 11 SUPERSTITION. fo % 77 $ fo % !it" sine!s( bones $nd ne ves( !it" blood $nd b $in( !it" instincts( p$ssions( t"o#'"ts $nd !$nts 77 $s $ll t"e st$ s t"$t !"eel in sp$ce. T"e s%$llest seed t"$t( ! $pped in soil( "$s d e$%s of Ap il $ins $nd d$&s of E#ne( !it""olds its sec et f o% t"e !isest %en. T"e !isdo% of t"e !o ld c$nnot e*pl$in one bl$de of ' $ss( t"e f$intest %otion of t"e s%$llest le$f. And &et t"eolo'i$ns( popes( p iests( p$ sons( !"o speec"less st$nd befo e t"e !onde of t"e s%$llest t"in' t"$t is( )no! $ll $bo#t t"e o i'in of !o lds( )no! !"en t"e be'innin' !$s( !"en t"e end !ill be( )no! $ll $bo#t t"e ;od !"o !it" $ !is" c e$ted $ll( )no! !"$t "is pl$n $nd p# pose !$s( t"e %e$ns "e #ses $nd t"e end "e see)s. To t"e% $ll %&ste ies "$ve been eve$led( e*cept t"e %&ste & of t"in's t"$t to#c" t"e senses of $ livin' %$n. .#t "onest %en do not p etend to )no!8 t"e& $ e c$ndid $nd since e8 t"e& love t"e t #t"8 t"e& $d%it t"ei i'no $nce( $nd t"e& s$&( ,We do not )no!., Afte $ll( !"& s"o#ld !e !o s"ip o# i'no $nce !"& s"o#ld !e )neel to t"e Un)no!n( !"& s"o#ld !e p ost $te o# selves befo e $ '#ess? If ;od e*ists( "o! do !e )no! t"$t "e is 'ood( t"$t "e c$ es fo #s? T"e 6" isti$ns s$& t"$t t"ei ;od "$s e*isted f o% ete nit&8 t"$t "e fo eve "$s been( $nd fo eve !ill be( infinite( !ise $nd 'ood. 6o#ld t"is ;od "$ve $voided bein' ;od? 6o#ld "e "$ve $voided bein' 'ood? W$s "e !ise $nd 'ood !it"o#t "is !is" o !ill? .ein' f o% ete nit&( "e !$s not p od#ced. He !$s b$c) of $ll c$#se. W"$t "e is( "e !$s( $nd !ill be( #nc"$n'ed( #nc"$n'e$ble. He "$d not"in' to do !it" t"e %$)in' o developin' of "is c"$ $cte . Not"in' to do !it" t"e develop%ent of "is %ind. W"$t "e !$s( "e is. He "$s %$de no p o' ess. W"$t "e is( "e !ill be( t"e e c$n be no c"$n'e. W"& t"en( I $s)( s"o#ld !e p $ise "i%? He co#ld not "$ve been diffe ent f o% !"$t "e !$s $nd is. W"& s"o#ld !e p $& to "i%? He c$nnot c"$n'e.

And &et 6" isti$ns i%plo e t"ei

;od not to do ! on'.

T"e %e$nest t"in' c"$ 'ed $'$inst t"e ?evil is t"$t "e le$ds t"e c"ild en of %en into te%pt$tion( $nd &et( in t"e 1o d<s P $&e ( ;od is ins#ltin'l& $s)ed not to i%it$te t"e )in' of fiends. ,1e$d #s not into te%pt$tion., W"& s"o#ld ;od de%$nd p $ise? He is $s "e !$s. He "$s neve le$ ned $n&t"in'8 "$s neve p $cticed $n& self7deni$l8 !$s neve te%pted( neve to#c"ed b& fe$ o "ope( $nd neve "$d $ !$nt. W"& s"o#ld "e de%$nd o# p $ise? ?oes $n&one )no! t"$t t"is ;od e*ists8 t"$t "e eve "e$ d o $ns!e ed $n& p $&e ? Is it )no!n t"$t "e 'ove ns t"e !o ld8 t"$t "e inte fe es in t"e $ff$i s of %en8 t"$t "e p otects t"e 'ood o p#nis"es t"e !ic)ed? 6$n evidence of t"is be fo#nd in t"e "isto & of %$n)ind? If ;od 'ove ns t"e !o ld( !"& s"o#ld !e c edit "i% fo .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 1/ SUPERSTITION. t"e 'ood $nd not c"$ 'e "i% !it" t"e evil? To E#stif& t"is ;od !e %#st s$& t"$t 'ood is 'ood $nd t"$t evil is $lso 'ood. If $ll is done b& t"is ;od !e s"o#ld %$)e no distinction bet!een "is $ctions 77 bet!een t"e $ctions of t"e infinitel& !ise( po!e f#l $nd 'ood. If !e t"$n) "i% fo s#ns"ine $nd "$ vest !e s"o#ld $lso t"$n) "i% fo pl$'#e $nd f$%ine. If !e t"$n) "i% fo libe t&( t"e sl$ve s"o#ld $ise "is c"$ined "$nds in !o s"ip $nd t"$n) ;od t"$t "e toils #np$id !it" t"e l$s" #pon "is n$)ed b$c). If !e t"$n) "i% fo victo & !e s"o#ld t"$n) "i% fo defe$t. Onl& $ fe! d$&s $'o o# P esident( b& p ocl$%$tion( t"$n)ed ;od fo 'ivin' #s t"e victo & $t S$nti$'o. He did not t"$n) "i% fo sendin' t"e &ello! feve . To be consistent t"e P esident s"o#ld "$ve t"$n)ed "i% e=#$ll& fo bot". T"e t #t" is t"$t 'ood $nd evil spi its 77 'ods $nd devils 77 $ e be&ond t"e e$l% of e*pe ience8 be&ond t"e "o iBon of o# senses8 be&ond t"e li%its of o# t"o#'"ts8 be&ond i%$'in$tion<s #t%ost fli'"t. -$n e*$%ine8 %$n8 t"e fe$ s to s"o#ld t"in)8 "e s"o#ld #se $ll "is senses8 "e s"o#ld "e s"o#ld e$son. T"e %$n !"o c$nnot t"in) is less t"$n %$n !"o !ill not t"in) is t $ito to "i%self8 t"e %$n !"o t"in) is s#pe stition<s sl$ve. CI W"$t "$ % does s#pe stition do? W"$t "$ % in believin' in f$bles( in le'ends?

To believe in si'ns $nd !onde s( in $%#lets( c"$ %s $nd %i $cles( in 'ods $nd devils( in "e$vens $nd "ells( %$)es t"e b $in $n ins$ne !$ d( t"e !o ld $ %$d"o#se( t$)es $ll ce t$int& f o% t"e %ind( %$)es e*pe ience $ sn$ e( dest o&s t"e )ins"ip of effect $nd c$#se 77 t"e #nit& of n$t# e 77 $nd %$)es %$n $ t e%blin' se f $nd sl$ve. Wit" t"is belief $ )no!led'e of n$t# e s"eds no li'"t #pon t"e p$t" to be p# s#ed. N$t# e beco%es $ p#ppet of t"e #nseen po!e s. T"e f$i &( c$lled t"e s#pe n$t# $l( to#c"es !it" "e !$nd $ f$ct( it dis$ppe$ s. 6$#ses $ e b$ en of effects( $nd effects $ e independent of $ll n$t# $l c$#ses. 6$p ice is )in'. T"e fo#nd$tion is 'one. T"e ' e$t do%e ests on $i . T"e e is no const$nc& in =#$lities( el$tions o es#lts. Re$son $bdic$tes $nd s#pe stition !e$ s "e c o!n. T"e "e$ t "$ dens $nd t"e b $in softens. T"e ene 'ies of %$n $ e !$sted in $ v$in effo t to sec# e t"e p otection of t"e s#pe n$t# $l. 6 ed#lit&( ce e%on&( !o s"ip( s$c ifice $nd p $&e t$)e t"e pl$ce of "onest !o )( of investi'$tion( of intellect#$l effo t( of obse v$tion( of e*pe ience. P o' ess beco%es i%possible. S#pe stition is( $l!$&s "$s been( $nd fo eve ene%& of libe t&. !ill be( t"e

S#pe stition c e$ted $ll t"e 'ods $nd $n'els( $ll t"e devils $nd '"osts( $ll t"e !itc"es( de%ons $nd 'oblins( '$ve #s $ll t"e $#'# s( soot"s$&e s $nd p op"ets( filled t"e "e$vens !it" si'ns $nd .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 1> SUPERSTITION. !onde s( b o)e t"e c"$in of c$#se $nd effect( $nd ! ote t"e "isto & of %$n in %i $cles $nd lies. S#pe stition %$de $ll t"e popes( c$ din$ls( bis"ops $nd p iests( $ll t"e %on)s $nd n#ns( t"e be''in' f i$ s $nd t"e filt"& s$ints( $ll t"e p e$c"e s $nd e*"o te s( $ll t"e ,c$lled, $nd ,set $p$ t., S#pe stition %$de %en f$ll #pon t"ei )nees befo e be$sts $nd stones( c$#sed t"e% to !o s"ip sn$)es $nd t ees $nd ins$ne p"$nto%s of t"e $i ( be'#iled t"e% of t"ei 'old $nd toil( $nd %$de t"e% s"ed t"ei c"ild en<s blood $nd 'ive t"ei b$bes to fl$%es. S#pe stition b#ilt t"e c$t"ed $ls $nd te%ples( $ll t"e $lt$ s( %os=#es $nd c"# c"es( filled t"e !o ld !it" $%#lets $nd c"$ %s( !it" i%$'es $nd idols( !it" s$c ed bones $nd "ol& "$i s( !it" %$ t& s< blood $nd $'s( !it" bits of !ood t"$t f i'"ten devils f o% t"e b e$sts of %en. S#pe stition invented $nd #sed t"e inst #%ents of to t# e( fl$&ed %en $nd !o%en $live( lo$ded %illions !it" c"$ins $nd dest o&ed "#nd eds of t"o#s$nds !it" fi e. S#pe stition %istoo) ins$nit& fo inspi $tion $nd t"e $vin's of %$ni$cs fo p op"es&( fo t"e !isdo% of ;od. S#pe stition i%p isoned t"e vi t#o#s( to t# ed t"e t"o#'"tf#l( )illed t"e "e oic( p#t c"$ins on t"e bod&( %$n$cles on t"e b $in( $nd #tte l& dest o&ed t"e libe t& of speec". S#pe stition '$ve #s $ll t"e p $&e s $nd ce e%onies8 t$#'"t $ll t"e )neelin's( 'en#flections $nd p ost $tions8 t$#'"t %en to "$te t"e%selves( to despise ple$s# e(

to sc$ t"ei fles"( to ' ovel in t"e d#st( to dese t t"ei !ives $nd c"ild en( to s"#n t"ei fello!7%en( $nd to spend t"ei lives in #seless p$in $nd p $&e . S#pe stition t$#'"t t"$t "#%$n love is de' $din'( lo! $nd vile8 t$#'"t t"$t %on)s $ e p# e t"$n f$t"e s( t"$t n#ns $ e "olie t"$n %ot"e s( t"$t f$it" is s#pe io to f$ct( t"$t c ed#lit& le$ds to "e$ven( t"$t do#bt is t"e o$d to "ell( t"$t belief is bette t"$n )no!led'e( $nd t"$t to $s) fo evidence is to ins#lt ;od. S#pe stition is( $l!$&s "$s been( $nd fo eve !ill be( t"e foe of p o' ess( t"e ene%& of ed#c$tion $nd t"e $ss$ssin of f eedo%. It s$c ifices t"e )no!n to t"e #n)no!n( t"e p esent to t"e f#t# e( t"is $ct#$l !o ld to t"e s"$do!& ne*t. It "$s 'iven #s $ selfis" "e$ven( $nd $ "ell of infinite even'e8 it "$s filled t"e !o ld !it" "$t ed( !$ $nd c i%e( !it" t"e %$lice of %ee)ness $nd t"e $ o'$nce of "#%ilit&. S#pe stition is t"e onl& ene%& of science in $ll t"e !o ld. N$tions( $ces( "$ve been dest o&ed b& t"is %onste . :o ne$ l& t!o t"o#s$nd &e$ s t"e inf$llible $'ent of ;od "$s lived in It$l&. T"$t co#nt & "$s been cove ed !it" n#nne ies( %on$ste ies( c$t"ed $ls $nd te%ples 77 filled !it" $ll v$ ieties of p iests $nd "ol& %en. :o cent# ies It$l& !$s en ic"ed !it" t"e 'old of t"e f$it"f#l. All o$ds led to Ro%e( $nd t"ese o$ds !e e filled !it" pil' i%s be$ in' 'ifts( $nd &et It$l&( in spite of $ll t"e p $&e s( ste$dil& p# s#ed t"e do!n!$ d p$t"( died $nd !$s b# ied( $nd !o#ld $t t"is %o%ent be in "e ' $ve "$d it not been fo 6$vo# ( -$BBini $nd ;$ ib$ldi. :o "e pove t&( "e %ise &( s"e is indebted to t"e "ol& 6$t"olic 6"# c"( to t"e inf$llible $'ents of ;od. :o t"e life s"e "$s s"e is indebted to t"e ene%ies of s#pe stition. A fe! &e$ s $'o It$l& !$s ' e$t eno#'" to b#ild $ %on#%ent to ;io d$no . #no 77 . #no( t"e victi% of t"e ,T i#%p"$nt .e$st8, 77 . #no( t"e s#bli%est of "e sons. Sp$in !$s $t one ti%e o!ne of "$lf t"e e$ t"( $nd "eld !it"in "e ' eed& "$nds t"e 'old $nd silve of t"e !o ld. At t"$t ti%e $ll n$tions !e e in t"e d$ )ness of s#pe stition. At t"$t ti%e t"e .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 14 SUPERSTITION. !o ld !$s 'ove ned b& p iests. Sp$in cl#n' to "e c eed. So%e n$tions be'$n to t"in)( b#t Sp$in contin#ed to believe. In so%e co#nties( p iests lost po!e ( b#t not in Sp$in. T"e po!e be"ind "e t" one !$s t"e co!led %on). In so%e co#nt ies %en be'$n to inte est t"e%selves in science( b#t not in Sp$in. Sp$in told "e be$ds $nd contin#ed to p $& to t"e Ci 'in. Sp$in !$s b#s& s$vin' "e so#l. In "e Be$l s"e dest o&ed "e self. S"e elied on t"e s#pe n$t# $l8 not on )no!led'e( b#t s#pe stition. He p $&e s !e e neve $ns!e ed. T"e s$ints !e e de$d. T"e& co#ld not "elp( $nd t"e .lessed Ci 'in did not "e$ . So%e co#nt ies !e e in t"e d$!n of $ ne! d$&( b#t Sp$in 'l$dl& e%$ined in t"e ni'"t. Wit" fi e $nd s!o d s"e e*te %in$ted t"e %en !"o t"o#'"t. He ' e$test festiv$l !$s t"e A#to d$ :e. Ot"e n$tions ' e! ' e$t !"ile Sp$in ' e! s%$ll. ?$& b& d$& "e po!e !$ned( b#t "e f$it" inc e$sed. One b&

one "e colonies !e e lost( b#t s"e )ept "e c eed. S"e '$ve "e 'old to s#pe stition( "e b $in to p iests( b#t s"e f$it"f#ll& co#nted "e be$ds. Onl& $ fe! d$&s $'o( el&in' on "e ;od $nd "is p iests( on c"$ %s $nd $%#lets( on "ol& !$te $nd pieces of t"e t #e c oss( s"e !$'ed !$ $'$inst t"e ' e$t Rep#blic. .is"ops blessed "e $ %ies $nd sp in)led "ol& !$te on "e s"ips( $nd &et "e $ %ies !e e defe$ted $nd c$pt# ed( "e s"ips b$tte ed( be$c"ed $nd b# ned( $nd in "e "elplessness s"e s#ed fo pe$ce. .#t s"e "$s "e c eed8 "e s#pe stition is not lost. Poo Sp$in( ! ec)ed b& f$it"( t"e victi% of eli'ion. Po t#'$l( slo!l& d&in'( ' o!in' poo e eve & d$& still to t"e f$it". He p $&e s $ e neve $ns!e ed( b#t s"e %$)es still. A#st i$ is ne$ l& 'one( $ victi% of s#pe stition. ;e t $velin' to!$ d t"e ni'"t. ;od pl$ced "e 2$ise on t"e t" T"e people %#st obe&. P"ilosop"e s $nd scientists f$ll #pon )nees $nd beco%e t"e p#ppets of t"e divinel& c o!ned. CII T"e believe s in t"e s#pe n$t# $l( in $ po!e s#pe io to n$t# e( in ;od( "$ve !"$t t"e& c$ll ,inspi ed boo)s., T"ese boo)s cont$in t"e $bsol#te t #t". T"e& %#st be believed. He !"o denies t"e% !ill be p#nis"ed !it" ete n$l p$in. T"ese boo)s $ e not $dd essed to "#%$n e$son. T"e& $ e $bove e$son. T"e& c$ e not"in' fo !"$t $ %$n c$lls ,f$cts., :$cts t"$t do not $' ee !it" t"ese boo)s $ e %ist$)es. T"ese boo)s $ e independent of "#%$n e*pe ience( of "#%$n e$son. O# inspi ed boo)s constit#te !"$t !e c$ll t"e ,.ible., T"e %$n !"o e$ds t"is inspi ed boo)( loo)in' fo cont $dictions( %ist$)es $nd inte pol$tions( i%pe ils t"e s$lv$tion of "is so#l. W"ile "e e$ds "e "$s no i'"t to t"in)( no i'"t to e$son. To believe is "is onl& d#t&. -illions of %en "$ve !$sted t"ei lives in t"e st#d& of t"is boo) 77 in t &in' to "$ %oniBe cont $dictions $nd to e*pl$in t"e obsc# e $nd see%in'l& $bs# d. In doin' t"is t"e& "$ve 9#stified ne$ l& eve & c i%e $nd eve & c #elt&. In its follies t"e& "$ve fo#nd t"e p ofo#ndest !isdo%. H#nd eds of c eeds "$ve been const #cted f o% its inspi ed p$ss$'es. P ob$bl& no t!o of its e$de s "$ve $' eed $s to its %e$nin'. T"o#s$nds "$ve st#died Heb e! $nd ; ee) t"$t t"e& %i'"t e$d t"e Old $nd Ne! Test$%ent in .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 1A SUPERSTITION. t"e l$n'#$'es in !"ic" t"e& !e e ! itten. T"e %o e t"e& st#died( t"e %o e t"e& diffe ed. .& t"e s$%e boo) t"e& p oved t"$t ne$ l& eve &bod& is to be lost( $nd t"$t $ll $ e to be s$ved8 t"$t sl$ve & is $ divine instit#tion( $nd t"$t $ll %en s"o#ld be f ee8 t"$t pol&'$%& is i'"t( $nd t"$t no %$n s"o#ld "$ve %o e t"$n one !ife8 t"$t t"e po!e s t"$t be $ e o d$ined of ;od( $nd t"$t t"e people clin's t"e% %$n& is one. t"ei

"$ve $ i'"t to ove t# n $nd dest o& t"e po!e s t"$t be8 t"$t $ll t"e $ctions of %en !e e p edestined 77 p eo d$ined f o% ete nit&( $nd &et t"$t %$n is f ee8 t"$t $ll t"e "e$t"en !ill be lost8 t"$t $ll t"e "e$t"en !ill be s$ved8 t"$t $ll %en !"o live $cco din' to t"e li'"t of n$t# e !ill be d$%ned fo t"ei p$ins8 t"$t &o# %#st be b$ptiBed b& sp in)lin'8 t"$t &o# %#st "e b$ptiBed b& i%%e sion8 t"$t t"e e is no s$lv$tion !it"o#t b$ptis% t"$t b$ptis% is #seless8 t"$t &o# %#st believe in t"e T init&8 t"$t it is s#fficient to believe in ;od. t"$t &o# %#st believe t"$t $ Heb e! pe$s$nt !$s ;od t"$t $t t"e s$%e ti%e "e !$s "$lf %$n( t"$t "e !$s of t"e blood of ?$vid t" o#'" "is s#pposed f$t"e Eosep"( !"o !$s not "is f$t"e ( $nd t"$t it is not necess$ & to believe t"$t 6" ist !$s ;od8 t"$t &o# %#st believe t"$t t"e Hol& ;"ost p oceeded8 t"$t it %$)es no diffe ence !"et"e &o# do o not8 t"$t &o# %#st )eep t"e S$bb$t" "ol&8 t"$t 6" ist t$#'"t not"in' of t"e )ind8 t"$t 6" ist est$blis"ed $ c"# c"8 t"$t "e est$blis"ed no c"# c"8 t"$t t"e de$d $ e to "e $ised8 t"$t t"e e is to be no es# ection8 t"$t 6" ist is co%in' $'$in8 t"$t "e "$s %$de "is l$st visit8 t"$t 6" ist !ent to "ell $nd p e$c"ed to t"e spi its in p ison8 t"$t "e did not"in' of t"e )ind8 t"$t $ll t"e Ee!s $ e 'oin' to pe dition8 t"$t t"e& $ e $ll 'oin' to "e$ven8 t"$t $ll t"e %i $cles desc ibed in t"e .ible !e e pe fo %ed( t"$t so%e of t"e% !e e not( bec$#se t"e& $ e foolis"( c"ildis" $nd idiotic8 t"$t $ll t"e .ible is inspi ed8 t"$t so%e of t"e boo)s $ e not inspi ed8 t"$t t"e e is to be $ 'ene $l 9#d'%ent( !"en t"e s"eep $nd 'o$ts $ e to be divided8 t"$t t"e e neve !ill be $n& 'ene $l 9#d'%ent8 t"$t t"e s$c $%ent$l b e$d $nd !ine $ e c"$n'ed into t"e fles" $nd blood of ;od $nd t"e T init&8 t"$t t"e& $ e not c"$n'ed8 t"$t ;od "$s no fles" o blood8 t"$t t"e e is $ pl$ce c$lled ,p# '$to &8, t"$t t"e e is no s#c" pl$ce8 t"$t #nb$ptiBed inf$nts !ill be lost8 t"$t t"e& !ill be s$ved8 t"$t !e %#st believe t"e Apostles< 6 eed8 t"$t t"e $postles %$de no c eed8 t"$t t"e Hol& ;"ost !$s t"e f$t"e of 6" ist8 t"$t Eosep" !$s "is f$t"e 8 t"$t t"e Hol& ;"ost "$d t"e fo % of $ dove8 t"$t t"e e is no Hol& ;"ost8 t"$t "e etics s"o#ld be )illed8 t"$t &o# %#st not esist evil8 t"$t &o# s"o#ld %# de #nbelieve s t"$t &o# %#st love &o# ene%ies8 t"$t &o# s"o#ld t$)e no t"o#'"t fo t"e %o o!( b#t s"o#ld be dili'ent in b#siness8 t"$t &o# s"o#ld lend to $ll !"o $s)( $nd t"$t one !"o does not p ovide fo "is o!n "o#se"old is !o se t"$n $n infidel. In defence of $ll t"ese c eeds( $ll t"ese cont $dictions( t"o#s$nds of vol#%es "$ve been ! itten( %illions of se %ons "$ve been p e$c"ed( co#ntless s!o ds eddened !it" blood( $nd t"o#s$nds $nd t"o#s$nds of ni'"ts %$de l# id !it" t"e f$''ot<s fl$%es. H#nd eds $nd "#nd eds of co%%ent$to s "$ve obsc# ed $nd d$ )ened t"e %e$nin' of t"e pl$inest te*ts( spi it#$liBed d$tes( n$%es( n#%be s $nd even 'ene$lo'ies. T"e& "$ve de' $ded t"e poetic( c"$n'ed p$ $bles to "isto &( $nd i%$'e & to st#pid $nd i%possible f$cts. T"e& "$ve ! estled !it" "$psod& $nd p op"ec&( !it" visions $nd d e$%s( !it" ill#sions $nd del#sions( !it" %&t"s $nd %i $cles( .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 10

SUPERSTITION. !it" t"e bl#nde s of i'no $nce( t"e $vin's of ins$nit& $nd t"e ecst$s& of "&ste ics. -illions of p iests $nd p e$c"e s "$ve $dded to t"e %&ste ies of t"e inspi ed boo) b& e*pl$n$tion( b& s"o!in' t"e !isdo% of foolis"ness( t"e foolis"ness of !isdo%( t"e %e c& of c #elt& $nd t"e p ob$bilit& of t"e i%possible. T"e t"eolo'i$ns %$de t"e .ible $ %$ste $nd t"e people its sl$ves. Wit" t"is boo) t"e& dest o&ed intellect#$l ve $cit&( t"e n$t# $l %$nliness of %$n. Wit" t"is boo) t"e& b$nis"ed pit& f o% t"e "e$ t( s#bve ted $ll ide$s of 9#stice $nd f$i ness( i%p isoned t"e so#l in t"e d#n'eon of fe$ $nd %$de "onest do#bt $ c i%e. T"in) of !"$t t"e !o ld "$s s#ffe ed f o% fe$ . T"in) of t"e %illions !"o !e e d iven to ins$nit&. T"in) of t"e fe$ f#l ni'"ts 77 ni'"ts filled !it" p"$nto%s( !it" fl&in'( c $!lin' %onste s( !it" "issin' se pents t"$t slo!l& #ncoiled( !it" v$'#e $nd fo %less "o o s( !it" b# nin' $nd %$licio#s e&es. T"in) of t"e fe$ of de$t"( of infinite ! $t"( of eve l$stin' even'e in t"e p isons of fi e( of $n ete nit&( of t"i st( of endless e' et( of t"e sobs $nd si'"s( t"e s" ie)s $nd ' o$ns of ete n$l p$in. T"in) of t"e "e$ ts "$ dened( of t"e "e$ ts b o)en( of t"e c #elties inflicted( of t"e $'onies end# ed( of t"e lives d$ )ened. T"e inspi ed .ible "$s been $nd is t"e ' e$test c# se of 6" istendo%( $nd !ill so e%$in $s lon' $s it is "eld to be inspi ed. CIII O# ;od !$s %$de b& %en( sc#lpt# ed b& s$v$'es !"o did t"e best t"e& co#ld. T"e& %$de o# ;od so%e!"$t li)e t"e%selves( $nd '$ve to "i% t"ei p$ssions( t"ei ide$s of i'"t $nd ! on'. As %$n $dv$nced "e slo!l& c"$n'ed "is ;od 77 too) $ little fe ocit& f o% "is "e$ t( $nd p#t t"e li'"t of )indness in "is e&es. As %$n p o' essed "e obt$ined $ !ide vie!( e*tended t"e intellect#$l "o iBon $nd $'$in "e c"$n'ed "is ;od( %$)in' "i% $s ne$ l& pe fect $s "e co#ld( $nd &et t"is ;od !$s p$tte ned $fte t"ose !"o %$de "i%. As %$n bec$%e civiliBed( $s "e bec$%e %e cif#l( "e be'$n to love 9#stice( $nd $s "is %ind e*p$nded "is ide$l bec$%e p# e ( noble ( $nd so "is ;od bec$%e %o e %e cif#l( %o e lovin'. In o# d$& Ee"ov$" "$s been o#t' o!n. He is no lon'e t"e pe fect. No! t"eolo'i$ns t$l)( not $bo#t Ee"ov$"( b#t $bo#t $ ;od of love( c$ll "i% t"e Ete n$l f$t"e $nd t"e pe pet#$l f iend $nd p ovidence of %$n. .#t( !"ile t"e& t$l) $bo#t t"is ;od of love( c&clones ! ec) $nd end( t"e e$ t"=#$)e devo# s( t"e flood dest o&s( t"e ed bolt le$pin' f o% t"e clo#d still c $s"es t"e life o#t of %en( $nd pl$'#e $nd feve still $ e ti eless e$pe s in t"e "$ vest fields of de$t". T"e& tell #s no! t"$t $ll is 'ood8 t"$t evil is b#t blessin'

in dis'#ise( t"$t p$in %$)es st on' $nd vi t#o#s %en 77 %$)es c"$ $cte 77 !"ile ple$s# e enfeebles $nd de' $des. If t"is be so( .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 1D SUPERSTITION. t"e so#ls in "ell s"o#ld ' o! to ' e$tness( !"ile t"ose in "e$ven s"o#ld s" in) $nd s" ivel. .#t !e )no! t"$t 'ood is 'ood. We )no! t"$t 'ood is not evil( $nd t"$t evil is not 'ood. We )no! t"$t li'"t is not d$ )ness( $nd t"$t d$ )ness is not li'"t. .#t !e do not feel t"$t 'ood $nd evil !e e pl$nned $nd c$#sed b& $ s#pe n$t# $l ;od. We e'$ d t"e% bot" $s necessities. We neit"e t"$n) no c# se. We )no! t"$t so%e evil c$n be $voided $nd t"$t t"e 'ood c$n be inc e$sed. We )no! t"$t t"is c$n be done b& inc e$sin' )no!led'e( b& developin' t"e b $in. As 6" isti$ns "$ve c"$n'ed t"ei ;od( so t"e& "$ve $cco din'l& c"$n'ed t"ei .ible. T"e i%possible $nd $bs# d( t"e c #el $nd t"e inf$%o#s( "$ve been %ostl& t" o!n $side( $nd t"o#s$nds $ e no! en'$'ed in t &in' to s$ve t"e inspi ed !o d. Of co# se( t"e o t"odo* still clin' to eve & !o d( $nd still insist t"$t eve & line is t #e. T"e& $ e lite $lists. To t"e% t"e .ible %e$ns e*$ctl& !"$t it s$&s. T"e& !$nt no e*pl$n$tion. T"e& c$ e not"in' fo co%%ent$to s. 6ont $dictions c$nnot dist# b t"e f$it". T"e& den& t"$t $n& cont $dictions e*ist. T"e& lo&$ll& st$nd b& t"e s$c ed te*t( $nd t"e& 'ive it t"e n$ o!est possible inte p et$tion. T"e& $ e li)e t"e 9$nito of $n $p$ t%ent "o#se !"o ef#sed to ent $ fl$t to $ 'entle%$n bec$#se "e s$id "e "$d c"ild en. ,.#t(, s$id t"e 'entle%$n( ,%& c"ild en $ e bot" %$ ied $nd live in Io!$., ,T"$t %$)es no diffe ence(, s$id t"e 9$nito ( ,I $% not $llo!ed to ent $ fl$t to $n& %$n !"o "$s c"ild en., All t"e o t"odo* c"# c"es $ e obst #ctions on t"e "i'"!$& of p o' ess. Eve & o t"odo* c eed is $ c"$in( $ d#n'eon. Eve & believe in t"e ,inspi ed boo), is $ sl$ve !"o d ives e$son f o% "e t" one( $nd in "e ste$d c o!ns fe$ . Re$son is t"e li'"t( t"e s#n of t"e b $in. It is t"e co%p$ss of t"e %ind( t"e eve 7const$nt No t"e n St$ ( t"e %o#nt$in pe$) t"$t lifts itself $bove $ll clo#ds. T"e e !e e cent# ies of d$ )ness !"en eli'ion "$d cont ol of 6" istendo%. S#pe stition !$s $l%ost #nive s$l. Not one in t!ent& t"o#s$nd co#ld e$d o ! ite. ?# in' t"ese cent# ies t"e people lived !it" t"ei b$c) to t"e s#n ise( $nd p# s#ed t"ei !$& to!$ d t"e dens of i'no $nce $nd f$it". T"e e !$s no p o' ess( no invention( no discove &. On eve & "$nd c #elt& $nd !o s"ip( pe sec#tion $nd p $&e . T"e p iests !e e t"e ene%ies of t"o#'"t( of investi'$tion. T"e& !e e t"e s"ep"e ds( $nd t"e people !e e t"ei s"eep $nd it !$s t"ei b#siness to '#$ d t"e floc) f o% t"e !olves of t"o#'"t $nd do#bt. T"is !o ld !$s of no i%po t$nce co%p$ ed !it" t"e ne*t. T"is life !$s to be spent in p ep$ in' fo t"e life to

co%e. T"e 'old $nd l$bo of %en !e e !$sted in b#ildin' c$t"ed $ls $nd in s#ppo tin' t"e pio#s $nd t"e #seless. ?# in' t"ese ?$ ) A'es of 6" isti$nit&( $s I s$id befo e( not"in' !$s invented( not"in' !$s discove ed( c$lc#l$ted to inc e$se t"e !ell7bein' of %en. T"e ene 'ies of 6" istendo% !e e !$sted in t"e v$in effo t to obt$in $ssist$nce f o% t"e s#pe n$t# $l. :o cent# ies t"e b#siness of 6" isti$ns !$s to ! est f o% t"e follo!e s of -o"$%%ed t"e e%pt& sep#lc"e of 6" ist. Upon t"e $lt$ of t"is foll& %illions of lives !e e s$c ificed( $nd &et t"e .$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 18 SUPERSTITION. soldie s of t"e i%posto !e e victo io#s( $nd t"e ! etc"es !"o c$ ied t"e b$nne of 6" ist !e e sc$tte ed li)e le$ves befo e t"e sto %. T"e e !$s( I believe( one invention d# in' t"ese $'es. It is s$id t"$t( in t"e t"i teent" cent# &( Ro'e .$con( $ : $ncisc$n %on)( invented '#npo!de ( b#t t"is invention !$s !it"o#t $ fello!. 3et !e c$nnot 'ive 6" isti$nit& t"e c edit( bec$#se .$con !$s $n infidel( $nd !$s ' e$t eno#'" to s$& t"$t in $ll t"in's e$son %#st be t"e st$nd$ d. He !$s pe sec#ted $nd i%p isoned( $s %ost sensible %en !e e in t"ose blessed d$&s. T"e c"# c" !$s t i#%p"$nt. T"e scepte $nd %$it e !e e in "e "$nd $nd &et "e s#ccess !$s t"e es#lt of fo ce $nd f $#d( $nd it c$ ied !it"in itself t"e seeds of its defe$t. T"e c"# c" $tte%pted t"e i%possible( it ende$vo ed to %$)e t"e !o ld of one belief8 to fo ce $ll %inds to $ co%%on fo %( $nd #tte l& dest o& t"e individ#$lit& of %$n. To $cco%plis" t"is it e%plo&ed eve & $ t $nd $ tifice t"$t c#nnin' co#ld s#''est. It inflicted eve & c #elt& b& eve & %e$ns t"$t %$lice co#ld invent. .#t( in spite of $ll( $ fe! %en be'$n to t"in). T"e& bec$%e inte ested in t"e $ff$i s of t"is !o ld 77 in t"e ' e$t p$no $%$ of n$t# e. T"e& be'$n to see) fo c$#ses( fo t"e e*pl$n$tions of p"eno%en$. T"e& !e e not s$tisfied !it" t"e $sse tions of t"e c"# c". T"ese t"in)e s !it"d e! t"ei '$Be f o% t"e s)ies $nd loo)ed $t t"ei o!n s# o#ndin's. T"e& !e e #nspi it#$l eno#'" to desi e co%fo t "e e. T"e& bec$%e sensible $nd sec#l$ ( !o ldl& $nd !ise. W"$t !$s t"e es#lt? T"e& be'$n to invent( to discove ( to find t"e el$tion bet!een f$cts( t"e conditions of "$ppiness $nd t"e %e$ns t"$t !o#ld inc e$se t"e !ell7bein' of t"ei fello!7%en. -ov$ble t&pes !e e invented( p$pe !$s bo o!ed f o% t"e -oo s( boo)s $ppe$ ed( $nd it bec$%e possible to s$ve t"e intellect#$l !e$lt" so t"$t e$c" 'ene $tion co#ld "$nd it to t"e ne*t. Histo & be'$n to t$)e t"e pl$ce of le'end $nd #%o . T"e telescope !$s invented. T"e o bits of t"e st$ s !e e t $ced( $nd %en bec$%e citiBens of t"e #nive se. T"e ste$% en'ine !$s const #cted( $nd no! ste$%( t"e ' e$t sl$ve( does t"e !o ) of

"#nd eds of %illions of %en. T"e .l$c) A t( t"e i%possible( !$s $b$ndoned( $nd c"e%ist &( t"e #sef#l( too) its pl$ce. Ast olo'& bec$%e $st ono%&. 2eple discove ed t"e t" ee ' e$t l$!s( one of t"e ' e$test t i#%p"s of "#%$n 'eni#s( $nd o# constell$tion bec$%e $ poe%( $ s&%p"on&. Ne!ton '$ve #s t"e %$t"e%$tic$l e*p ession of t"e $tt $ction of ' $vit$tion. H$ ve& discove ed t"e ci c#l$tion of t"e blood. He '$ve #s t"e f$ct( $nd ? $pe '$ve #s t"e e$son. Ste$%s"ips con=#e ed t"e se$s $nd $il!$&s cove ed t"e l$nd. Ho#ses $nd st eets !e e li'"ted !it" '$s. T" o#'" t"e invention of %$tc"es fi e bec$%e t"e co%p$nion of %$n. T"e $ t of p"oto' $p"& bec$%e )no!n8 t"e s#n bec$%e $n $ tist. Tele' $p"s $nd c$bles !e e invented. T"e li'"tnin' bec$%e $ c$ ie of t"o#'"t( $nd t"e n$tions bec$%e nei'"bo s. An$est"etic !e e discove ed $nd p$in !$s lost in sleep. S# 'e & bec$%e $ science. T"e telep"one !$s invented 77 t"e telep"one t"$t c$ ies $nd deposits in listenin' e$ s t"e !$ves of !o ds. T"e p"ono' $p"( t"$t c$tc"es $nd et$ins in %$ )s $nd dots $nd 'ives $'$in t"e ec"oes of o# speec".

.$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 19 SUPERSTITION. T"en c$%e elect ic li'"t t"$t fills t"e ni'"t !it" d$&( $nd $ll t"e !onde f#l %$c"ines t"$t #se t"e s#btle fo ce 77 t"e s$%e fo ce t"$t le$ps f o% t"e s#%%e clo#d to $v$'e $nd dest o&. T"e Spect #% An$l&sis t"$t tells #s of t"e s#bst$nce of t"e s#n8 t"e Roent'en $&s t"$t c"$n'e t"e op$=#e to t"e t $nsp$ ent. T"e ' e$t t"in)e s de%onst $ted t"e indest #ctibilit& of fo ce $nd %$tte 77 de%onst $ted t"$t t"e indest #ctible co#ld not "$ve been c e$ted. T"e 'eolo'ist( in oc)s $nd deposits $nd %o#nt$ins $nd continents( e$d $ little of t"e sto & of t"e !o ld 77 of its c"$n'es( of t"e 'l$ci$l epoc" 77 t"e sto & of ve'et$ble $nd $ni%$l life. T"e biolo'ists( t" o#'" t"e fossil fo %s of life( est$blis"ed t"e $nti=#it& of %$n $nd de%onst $ted t"e !o t"lessness of Hol& W it. T"en c$%e evol#tion( t"e s# viv$l of t"e fittest $nd n$t# $l selection. T"o#s$nds of %&ste ies !e e e*pl$ined $nd science ! ested t"e scepte f o% s#pe stition. T"e cell t"eo & !$s $dv$nced( $nd e%b &olo'& !$s st#died8 t"e %ic oscope discove ed 'e %s of dise$se $nd t$#'"t #s "o! to st$& t"e pl$'#e. T"ese ' e$t t"eo ies $nd discove ies( to'et"e !it" co#ntless inventions( $ e t"e c"ild en of intellect#$l libe t&. F Afte $ll !e )no! b#t little. In t"e d$ )ness of life t"e e $ e $ fe! 'le$%s of li'"t. Possibl& t"e d oppin' of $ dis"clot" p op"esies t"e co%in' of co%p$n&( b#t !e "$ve no evidence. Possibl& it is d$n'e o#s fo t"i teen to dine to'et"e ( b#t !e "$ve no evidence. Possibl& $ %$iden<s %$t i%oni$l c"$nces $ e dete %ined b& t"e n#%be of seeds in $n $pple( o b& t"e n#%be of le$ves on $

flo!e ( b#t !e "$ve no evidence. Possibl& ce t$in stones 'ive 'ood l#c) to t"e !e$ e ( !"ile t"e !e$ in' of ot"e s b in's loss $nd de$t". Possibl& $ 'li%pse of t"e ne! %oon ove t"e left s"o#lde b in's %isfo t#ne. Possibl& t"e e $ e c# $tive vi t#es in old bones( in s$c ed $'s $nd "ol& "$i s( in i%$'es $nd bits of !ood( in #st& n$ils $nd d ied blood( b#t t"e t o#ble is !e "$ve no evidence. Possibl& co%ets( eclipses $nd s"ootin' st$ s fo etell t"e de$t" of )in's( t"e dest #ction of n$tions o t"e co%in' of pl$'#e. Possibl& devils t$)e possession of t"e bodies $nd %inds of %en. Possibl& !itc"es( !it" t"e ?evil<s "elp( cont ol t"e !inds( b eed sto %s on se$ $nd l$nd( fill s#%%e <s l$p !it" f osts $nd sno!( $nd !o ) !it" c"$ % $nd spell $'$inst t"e p#blic !e$l( b#t of t"is !e "$ve no evidence. It %$& be t"$t $ll t"e %i $cles desc ibed in t"e Old $nd Ne! Test$%ent !e e pe fo %ed8 t"$t t"e p$llid fles" of t"e de$d felt once %o e t"e t" ill of life8 t"$t t"e co pse $ ose $nd felt #pon "is s%ilin' lips t"e )iss of !ife $nd c"ild. Possibl& !$te !$s t# ned into !ine( lo$ves $nd fis"es inc e$sed( $nd possibl& devils !e e e*pelled f o% %en $nd !o%en8 possibl& fis"es !e e fo#nd !it" %one& in t"ei %o#t"s8 possibl& cl$& $nd spittle b o#'"t b$c) t"e li'"t to si'"tless e&es( $nd possibl& !o ds c# ed dise$se $nd %$de t"e lepe cle$n( b#t of t"is !e "$ve no evidence. Possibl& i on flo$ted( ive s divided( !$te s b# st f o% d & bones( bi ds c$ ied food to p op"ets $nd $n'els flo# is"ed d $!n s!o ds( b#t of t"is !e "$ve no evidence.

.$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 /5 SUPERSTITION. Possibl& Ee"ov$" e%plo&ed l&in' spi its to deceive $ )in'( $nd $ll t"e !onde s of t"e s$v$'e !o ld %$& "$ve "$ppened( b#t t"e t o#ble is t"e e is no p oof. So t"e e %$& be $ ?evil( $l%ost infinite in c#nnin' $nd po!e ( $nd "e %$& "$ve $ co#ntless n#%be of i%ps !"ose onl& b#siness is to so! t"e seeds of evil $nd to ve*( %isle$d( c$pt# e $nd i%p ison in ete n$l fl$%es t"e so#ls of %en. All t"is( so f$ $s !e )no!( is possible. All !e )no! is t"$t !e "$ve no evidence e*cept t"e $sse tions of i'no $nt p iests. Possibl& t"e e is $ pl$ce c$lled ,"ell(, !"e e $ll t"e devils live 77 $ "ell !"ose fl$%es $ e !$itin' fo $ll t"e %en !"o t"in) $nd "$ve t"e co# $'e to e*p ess t"ei t"o#'"ts( fo $ll !"o f$il to c edit p iests $nd s$c ed boo)s( fo $ll !"o !$l) t"e p$t" t"$t e$son li'"ts( fo $ll t"e 'ood $nd b $ve !"o l$c) c ed#lit& $nd f$it" 77 b#t of t"is( I $% "$pp& to s$&( t"e e is no p oof. And so t"e e %$& be $ pl$ce c$lled ,"e$ven(, t"e "o%e of ;od( !"e e $n'els flo$t $nd fl& $nd pl$& on "$ ps $nd "e$ !it" 9o& t"e ' o$ns $nd s" ie)s of t"e lost in "ell( b#t of t"is t"e e is no evidence.

It $ll

ests on d e$%s $nd visions of t"e ins$ne.

T"e e %$& be $ po!e s#pe io to n$t# e( $ po!e t"$t 'ove ns $nd di ects $ll t"in's( b#t t"e e*istence of t"is po!e "$s not been est$blis"ed. In t"e p esence of t"e %&ste ies of life $nd t"o#'"t( of fo ce $nd s#bst$nce( of ' o!t" $nd dec$&( of bi t" $nd de$t"( of 9o& $nd p$in( of t"e s#ffe in's of t"e 'ood( t"e t i#%p"s of ! on'( t"e intelli'ent "onest %$n is co%pelled to s$&+ ,I do not )no!., .#t !e do )no! "o! 'ods $nd devils( "e$vens $nd "ells( "$ve been %$de. We )no! t"e "isto & of inspi ed boo)s 77 t"e o i'in of eli'ions. We )no! "o! t"e seeds of s#pe stition !e e pl$nted $nd !"$t %$de t"e% ' o!. We )no! t"$t $ll s#pe stitions( $ll c eeds( $ll follies $nd %ist$)es( $ll c i%es $nd c #elties( $ll vi t#es( vices( "opes $nd fe$ s( $ll discove ies $nd inventions( "$ve been n$t# $ll& p od#ced. .& t"e li'"t of e$son !e divide t"e #sef#l f o% t"e "# tf#l( t"e f$lse f o% t"e t #e. We )no! t"e p$st 77 t"e p$t"s t"$t %$n "$s t $veled 77 "is %ist$)es( "is t i#%p"s. We )no! $ fe! f$cts( $ fe! f $'%ents( $nd t"e i%$'in$tion( t"e $ tist of t"e %ind( !it" t"ese f$cts( t"ese f $'%ents( eb#ilds t"e p$st( $nd on t"e c$nv$s of t"e f#t# e deftl& p$ints t"e t"in's to be. We believe in t"e n$t# $l( in t"e #nb o)en $nd #nb e$)$ble s#ccession of c$#ses $nd effects. We den& t"e e*istence of t"e s#pe n$t# $l. We do not believe in $n& ;od !"o c$n be ple$sed !it" incense( !it" )neelin'( !it" bell7 in'in'( ps$l%7sin'in'( be$d7 co#ntin'( f$stin' o p $&e 77 in $n& ;od !"o c$n be fl$tte ed b& !o ds of f$it" o fe$ .

.$n) of Wisdo% .o* 9/0( 1o#isville( 23 45/51 /1 SUPERSTITION. We believe in t"e n$t# $l. We "$ve no fe$ of devils( '"osts o "ells. We believe t"$t -$"$t%$s( $st $l bodies( %$te i$liB$tions of spi its( c &st$l '$Bin'( seein' t"e f#t# e( telep$t"&( %ind e$din' $nd 6" isti$n Science $ e onl& c#nnin' f $#ds( t"e 'en#ineness of !"ic" is est$blis"ed b& t"e testi%on& of inco%petent( "onest !itnesses. We believe t"$t 6#nnin' pl$tes f $#d !it" t"e 'old of "onest&( $nd venee s vice !it" vi t#e. We )no! t"$t %illions $ e see)in' t"e i%possible 77 t &in' to sec# e t"e $id of t"e s#pe n$t# $l 77 to solve t"e p oble% of life 77 to '#ess t"e iddle of destin&( $nd to pl#c) f o% t"e f#t# e its sec et. We )no! t"$t $ll t"ei effo ts $ e in v$in. We believe in t"e n$t# $l. We believe in "o%e $nd fi eside 77 in !ife $nd c"ild $nd f iend 77 in t"e e$lities of t"is !o ld. We

"$ve f$it" in f$cts 77 in )no!led'e 77 in t"e develop%ent of t"e b $in. We t" o! $!$& s#pe stition $nd !elco%e science. We b$nis" t"e p"$nto%s( t"e %ist$)es $nd lies $nd clin' to t"e t #t". We do not ent" one t"e #n)no!n $nd c o!n o# i'no $nce. We do not st$nd !it" o# b$c)s to t"e s#n $nd %ist$)e o# s"$do! fo ;od. We do not c e$te $ %$ste $nd t"$n)f#ll& !e$ "is c"$ins. We do not ensl$ve o# selves. We !$nt no le$de s 77 no follo!e s. O# desi e is t"$t eve & "#%$n bein' s"$ll be t #e to "i%self( to "is ide$l( #nb ibed b& p o%ises( c$ eless of t" e$ts. We !$nt no t& $nt on t"e e$ t" o in t"e $i . We )no! t"$t s#pe stition "$s 'iven #s del#sions $nd ill#sions( d e$%s $nd visions( ce e%onies $nd c #elties( f$it" $nd f$n$ticis%( be''$ s $nd bi'ots( pe sec#tions $nd p $&e s( t"eolo'& $nd to t# e( piet& $nd pove t&( s$ints $nd sl$ves( %i $cles $nd %#%%e ies( dise$se $nd de$t". We )no! t"$t science "$s 'iven #s $ll !e "$ve of v$l#e. Science is t"e onl& civiliBe . It "$s f eed t"e sl$ve( clot"ed t"e n$)ed( fed t"e "#n' &( len't"ened life( 'iven #s "o%es $nd "e$ t"s( pict# es $nd boo)s( s"ips $nd $il!$&s( tele' $p"s $nd c$bles( en'ines t"$t ti elessl& t# n t"e co#ntless !"eels( $nd it "$s dest o&ed t"e %onste s( t"e p"$nto%s( t"e !in'ed "o o s t"$t filled t"e s$v$'e b $in. Science is t"e e$l edee%e . It !ill p#t "onest& $bove "&poc is&8 %ent$l ve $cit& $bove $ll belief. It !ill te$c" t"e eli'ion of #sef#lness. It !ill dest o& bi'ot & in $ll its fo %s. It !ill p#t t"o#'"tf#l do#bt $bove t"o#'"tless f$it". It !ill 'ive #s p"ilosop"e s( t"in)e s $nd s$v$nts( inste$d of p iests( t"eolo'i$ns $nd s$ints. It !ill $bolis" pove t& $nd c i%e( $nd ' e$te ( ' $nde ( noble t"$n $ll else( it !ill %$)e t"e !"ole !o ld f ee.