Trial of C. B. Reynolds For Blasphemy, at Morristown, N. J., May 1887: Defence

Name: Trial of C. B. Reynolds For Blasphemy, at Morristown, N. J., May 1887: Defence
Author: Robert Green Ingersoll

By Robert Green Ingersoll

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About This Book

A courtroom address defends a defendant charged with blasphemy by asserting that the freedom to express honest thought is fundamental and that blasphemy laws unlawfully suppress intellectual liberty. The speaker critiques religious texts and leaders by citing moral failings attributed to biblical figures, argues that satire and critique cannot be silenced by fines or imprisonment, and insists that force cannot refute an argument. The speech frames open debate and the right to publish dissenting views as essential protections for every citizen.

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.