About The Holy Bible: A Lecture

Name: About The Holy Bible: A Lecture
Author: Robert Green Ingersoll

By Robert Green Ingersoll

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About This Book

A lecture contends that the Bible lacks demonstrable divine inspiration and should be read as the product of human institutions and historical circumstance. It surveys the origins of biblical law, critiques portrayals of Jehovah and selected Old Testament episodes, and examines the Ten Commandments and moral stories. It questions authorship, contradictions, and interpolations in the New Testament gospels, evaluates the philosophy and example of Christ, and ends by proposing that human achievements in knowledge, art, and moral progress form an ongoing, secular scripture for humanity.

About the Author

Robert Green Ingersoll

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899) was a prominent American orator, lawyer, and political activist known for his advocacy of free thought and secularism. Often referred to as the "Great Agnostic," Ingersoll was a leading figure in the 19th-century movement for religious skepticism and humanism. His lectures, such as "About The Holy Bible" and "An Oration on the Life and Services of Thomas Paine," challenged traditional religious beliefs and promoted rationalism. Ingersoll's eloquent speeches and writings contributed significantly to the discourse on religion, morality, and individual rights, making him a notable figure in American literary and intellectual history.