Part 1
Produced by David Widger
BIBLICAL EXTRACTS
Or
The Holy Scriptures Analyzed; Showing Its Contradictions, Absurdities, And Immoralities.
By Robert Cooper.
"The Bible contained details of Atrocity at which human nature shuddered. Part of the Holy Writings consisted of history and of the narration of facts of a kind, that could not be mentioned in the presence of a virtuous woman without exciting Horror. Should a woman be permitted to read in her chamber what she would tremble to hear at her domestic board? Should she con over and revolve what she would rather die than utter?"--[The Right Hon R. L. Shiel, M.P.]
[FROM AN ENGLISH EDITION.]
CINCINNATI, O. 1860.
PREFACE.
The distinguishing characteristic of the present age, is the freedom of inquiry and discussion which prevails upon all subjects; and most particularly upon religious subjects. Intelligent and thinking men of every class, are beginning to investigate and discuss questions of the latter kind with considerable closeness, fearlessness and determination. They are now resolved no longer to be hoodwinked with the veil of prejudice, enchained with the trammels of superstition, or deluded by the Hosted by or intimidated by the denunciations of a crafty and intolerant priesthood; but to examine for themselves--"to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." And long have the priesthood dreaded, and anxiously have they endeavored to procrastinate, the arrival of this period. Long have they been apprehensive of the development of intellect, and the enlightenment of mind. Long have they feared the advent of that era which will hail the dawn of rationality and advancement. And why? Because they knew full well, ignorant and superstitious as many of them may appear, that when intellect and rationality become the main-springs of society--when men begin dispassionately and philosophically to examine into the mysteries and workings of religion, that all their impositions will be discovered, all their craftiness detected, and all their designs and practices fully exposed. And, when once this is done, they are conscious that their influence over the people, would immediately decline, and ultimately fall. This has already in some measure proved true. For by the many bold and daring innovations, which have been made by a Paine, a Voltaire, a Mirabaud, a Volney, a Taylor, a Howitt, and an Owen, upon what is arrogantly called the consecrated ground of religion, their influence has materially declined, and has every prospect of still continuing to do so. And this they know--_this they feel_. Hence, the terrific thunderbolts of indignation and anathema which they have hurled at the characters of those distinguished men. And hence, that malicious and vindictive spirit which they have manifested toward all those who have had the integrity or boldness to acknowledge themselves their disciples. Hence, too, their present discreditable opposition to every educational, political and social measure, which would conduce to the elevation and improvement of society. But poor deluded mortals! how vain will they find all their attempts to impede the mighty progress of truth--the glorious advancement of thought and enlightenment! As well, indeed, might they attempt to overthrow the pyramids of Egypt with the waft of a feather, as to endeavor to demolish the temple of reason and intellect which is now erecting in society; a temple which, while it will be a glorious emblem of the progression of man, will be a lasting monument of their final downfall! So considerably, in fact, is the power of the priesthood already diminished, that they are now beginning to be looked upon by the leading minds of all classes, with feelings of indifference and compassion, rather than those of reverence and admiration.
It was the desire to endeavor to hasten the annihilation of the influence of these men that induced me to publish the following work---a work which, I trust, will serve somewhat to expose one of the greatest impositions ever palmed upon mankind in any age, or in any country. I allude, as may be supposed? to the Bible. Yes, the Christian priesthood dare so outrageously to blaspheme the character of the Supreme Governor of the Universe as to say, that book is his word; that he either wrote or inspired men to write it. O shame, shame upon such blasphemy! What! a munificent and omniscient Deity the author of a book replete with more contradictions, containing more immoralities, and inculcating more absurdities, than any book extant; contradictions, too, of the grossest character, immoralities of the most pernicious tendency, and absurdities of the most extravagant nature! Audacious impiety! Such an opinion perhaps might be entertained in the dark ages of ignorance and superstition, but in this the boasted era of reason and science, it must be repudiated by all who dare openly and frankly avow their sentiments, This may be deemed by those who have always read the Bible with their eyes closed, or who are interested in teaching its doctrines and mysteries, as very bold and presumptuous; but let the reader refer to the extracts contained in this little book, (and which are only a few to what may be adduced) and I am persuaded that he will at once acknowledge that I am perfectly justified in making these statements, Indeed, so extremely immoral and disgustingly obscene, are many passages in this book, that I feel almost ashamed to publish them, and I am sure that any one who has the least sense of delicacy or chastity, will blush to read them. A book which had really originated from an Omniscient and Munificent Divinity---a book which was the word, or organ of such a being, must inculcate in every chapter and in every verse, the strictest, the purest, and most exalted morality; must constantly exhort mankind to every thing that was just, rational and charitable; and must contain no language but that which was exquisitely beautiful and elevating; and no expressions but those which were irresistibly persuasive and convincing. But the Bible is a book, as may be seen on a reference to these extracts, quite the reverse of this. We are compelled, therefore, to conclude against the established opinions of society, that it cannot be of Divine origin, and that consequently it cannot be the word of God.
My humble, but decided opinion is, as I have previously observed, that it was nothing more than a mere imposition; an imposition which was palmed upon mankind by the Christian priesthood, for the purpose of deluding or enslaving them; for the purpose of leading them from the open and cheering paths of knowledge and improvement, into the nauseous and gloomy quagmires of ignorance and superstition. The priesthood of every sect of religion, in every country of the habitable globe, have instituted and perpetuated certain impositions, by means of which they have conceived they would be enabled to maintain and increase their influence over the minds of their followers; so that thereby they might still continue to luxuriate in ease and enjoyment, while their poor deluded victims repined in ignorance and woe. And this is such an imposition now established and supported by the Christian priesthood--an imposition which is the corner stone of all their power, the fountain of all their influence. It has been the tool which they have invariably used in the accomplishment of their objects, however selfish; and in the consummation of their machinations, however odious. Whenever they have massacred, immolated, or incarcerated those who have dared to dispute their vicegerency, or who have presumed to expose their doctrines, or denounce their practices, they have quoted this imposition as their authority. Whenever they have defended, or connived at the extortions of the tyrants who have flattered or supported them, they have quoted this imposition as their authority. Whenever they have opposed any system or any measure, which they considered would be inimical to their interests, or subversive of their power, they have quoted this imposition as their authority. And the sooner this imposition is removed--the sooner the few good seeds which it may contain are extracted from it, and the immense mass of chaff is cast into oblivion, the better will it be for the amelioration and progression of man. Perhaps the expression of such opinions as these may be painful to the feelings of many excellent individuals. For this I am truly sorry, as my object is, not to cause pain or uneasiness, but to expose error and imposture. The time has now arrived when truth must come out, when truth must be spoken, "without mystery, mixture of error, or fear of man." Too long, indeed, has this precious jewel been sacrificed to the paltry predilections of interest and prejudice. Too long have we been tossed in the dark and unfathomable gulf of bigotry and intolerance; we must now make our way to the expansive and unruffled ocean of reason and inquiry, and there, free from the storms of persecution, and the squalls of denunciation, proceed, on our onward course, in security and felicity. R. C.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Passages inconsistent....
Immateriality.
Omnipresence.
Omnipotence.
Omniscience.
Munificence.
Impartiality.
Immutability.
Incomprehensibility..
Passages Immoral and Obscene
Passages Absurd and Unnatural.
Passages Contradictory..
IMMATERIALITY.
"God is a spirit." John iv. 24..
1. So God created man _in his own image_, in the _image of God_ created he him; male and female-created he them. Gen. i. 27.
2. The _eyes_ of the lord are in everyplace, beholding the evil and the good. Prov. xv. 3.
3. So shall my word be that goeth from out of my _mouth_; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah lv. 11.
4. Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me for I am holier than thou; these are a smoke in my _nose_, a fire that burneth all the day. Isaiah lxv. 5.
5. Behold the name of the Lord cometh from afar burning with his anger and the burden thereof is heavy: his _lips_ are full of indignation, and his _tongue_ as a devouring fire. Isaiah xxxth, 27.
6. And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord _heard_ our voice and _looked_ on our affliction, and our labor and our oppression. Deut. xxvi. 7.
7. Lord, bow down thine _ear_ and hear, open thine eyes and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. 2 Kings xix. 16.
8. And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the _soles_ of my _feet_, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places. Ezek. xliii. 7.
9. And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand, and with a strong _arm_ even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath. Jer. xxi. 5.
10. The Lord hath made bare his _holy arm_, in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah lii. 10.
11. When I consider the heavens, the work of thy _fingers_, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained. Psalms viii. 3.
12. And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the _finger_ of God. Exod. xxxi. 18.
13. And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his _loins_ even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about it. Ezek. i. 27.
14. And it repenteth the Lord that he had made man upon the earth, and it grieved him at his _heart_, Gen. vi. 6.
15. My _bowels, my bowels_, I am pained at my very _heart_, my heart maketh a noise in me: I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Jer. iv. 19.
16. And with the blast of thy _nostrils_ the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. Exod. xv. 8.
17. And it shall come to pass while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my _hand_ while I pass by. And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my _back parts_, but my _face_ shall not be seen. Exod. xxxiii. 22, 23.
18. Then the Lord put forth his _hand_ and _touched_ my _mouth_, and the Lord said unto me, Behold I have put my words in thy mouth. Jer. i. 9.
19. Behold the Lord's _hand_ is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his _ear_ heavy, that it cannot hear. Isaiah lix. 1.
20. Mine _hand_ also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my _right hand_ hath spanned the heavens,--when I call unto them they stand up together. Isaiah xlviii. 13.
21. I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest; I the Lord have said it. Ezekiel xxi. 17.
22. And the Lord _spake_ unto Moses, saying. Num. xxv. 16.
23. And God _spake_ unto Noah, saying. Genesis viii. 15.
24. And the Lord _spake_ unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. Jonah ii. 10.
25. And Abraham fell on his face; and God _talked_ with him saying. Genesis xvii. 3.
26. And the Lord _smelled_ a sweet savour, and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake, for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, neither will I again smite any more every thing living as I have done. Genesis viii. 21.
27. And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul. Genesis ii. 7.
28. By the _breath_ of God frost is given and the breadth of the waters is straitened. Job xxxvii. 10.
29. And the Lord said unto him, this is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying I will give it unto thy seed; I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died therein the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And _he_ buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor; but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. Deut. xxxiv. 4-6.
Also notes 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 44; 46, 637 64, 65, 72, 114, 130, 133.
OMNIPRESENCE.
One God and father of all, who is, above all, through all, and in you all. Ephesians iv. 6.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalms cxxxix. 7---10.
30. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who _being in the form of God_ thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Phil. ii. 5, 6.
31. And the Lord _came down_ upon Mount Sinai on the top of the mount; and the Lord _called Moses up_ to the top of the mount, and Moses went up. Exodus xix. 20.
32. And the Lord _came down in a cloud_, and spake onto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass that when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. Numbers xL 25.
33. And the Lord _came down in the pillar of the cloud_, and _stood in the door_ of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forth, Numbers xii. 5.
34. For I know their works and their thoughts; it shall come that I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall _come and see my glory_. Isaiah lvi. 18.
35. And _come and stand before me in this house_, which is called by name, and say, we are delivered to do all these abominations. Jeremiah vii. 10.
36. And the Lord said unto Moses, _Come up to me in the mount_ and be there; and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayst teach them. Exod. xxiv. 12.
37. And he left on talking with him, and God _went up from Abraham_. Genesis xvii. 22.
38.. And the Lord _came down to see the city and the tower_, which the children of men builded. Gen. xi..5.
39. And the Holy Ghost _descended in a bodily shape like a dove_ upon him, and a voice came from heaven which said, Thou art my beloved son; in thee I am well pleased. Luke iii. 22.
40. For the Lord himself shall _descend_ from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 1 Thessalonians iv. 16.
41. Thus saith the Lord, I am _returned_ unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. Zech. viii. 3.
42. And I _will dwell_ amongst the children of Israel, and will be their God. Exodus xxix. 45.
43. And God _met_ Balaam, and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and 1 have offered upon each altar a bullock and a ram. Numbers xxiii. 4.
44. For the Lord thy God _walketh in the midst of thy camp_, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy, that he sees no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. Deuteronomy xxiii. 14.
45. They shall be carried to Babylon; and there shall they be until the day that I _visit_ them, saith the Lord, then I will bring them up and restore them to this place. Jeremiah xxvii. 22.
46. I saw the Lord _standing upon the altar_; and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake; and cut them in the head all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword; he that fleeth of them shall not flee away; and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered. Amos ix. 1.
47. God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth _dwelleth_ not in temples made with hands. Acts xvii. 21.
48. Moreover the word of the Lord _came to me_ saying. Jeremiah ii. 1.
49. God _came from Teman,_ and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Habakuk iii. 3.
Also notes 1, 63, 66, 303.
OMNIPOTENCE.
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matt. xix. 26.
50. And the Lord was with Judah, and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountains, but _could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley_, because they had chariots of iron. Judges i. 19.
51. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the _weakness_ of God is stronger than man. 1. Corinthians i. 25.
52. For thou shalt worship no other God; for the Lord whose name is Jealous; is _a jealous God_. Exod. xxxiv. 14.
53. They have moved me to _jealousy_ with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities; and I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people, I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. Deut. xxxii. 21.
54. I am the Lord, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another _neither my praise_ to graven images. Isaiah xlii. 8.
55. _Turn, O backsliding children_, saith the Lord; _for I am married unto you_; and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion. Jeremiah iii. 14.
56. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth, for the Lord hath a _controversy_ with the nations; he will _plead_ with all flesh, he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord of hosts. Jeremiah xxv. 31.
57. Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, for the Lord hath a _controversy_ with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Hosea iv. 1.
58. I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and will _plead_ with them there for my people, and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Joel iii. 2.
59. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore, _let me alone_ that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of thee a great nation. Exod. xxxii. 9, 10.
60. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the _seventh_ day he _rested_ and was _refreshed_. Exodus xxxi. 17.
61. For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. Nevertheless, _through the envy of the Devil_, came _death_ into the world; and they that do hold of his side do find it. Wisdom of Solomon ii. 23.
62. To wit, that God was in Christ _reconciling the world unto himself_, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2. Corinthians v. 19.
63. And Jacob was left alone; and there _wrestled_ a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh: and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he _wrestled_ with him. And he said, Let me go for the day breaketh; and he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name! And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince _thou hast power with God_, and with men, and hath _prevailed_. And Jacob asked him and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name: And he said, Wherefore is it, that thou dost ask after my name? and he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for _I have seen God face to face_, and my life is preserved. Genesis xxxii. 24--30.
OMNISCIENCE.
And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen. Acts i. 24.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit: for the spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1. Corinthians ii. 10.
No thought escapeth him, neither any word is hidden from him. Eccles. xlii. 20.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knoweledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out. Romans xi. 33.
64. And the Lord called unto Adam, and said unto him, _Where art thou?_ Gen. iii. 9.
65. And he said. _Who told thee_ that thou wast naked? _Hast thou eaten of the tree_ whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat? Gen. iii. 11.
66. And God came unto Balaam, and said, _What men are these with thee?_ Numbers xxii. 9.
67. And the Lord said, _Who shall entice Ahab, king of Israel_, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead?
2 Chronicles xviii. 19.
68. Thus saith the Lord, _What iniquity have your fathers found in me_, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? Jeremiah ii. 5.
69. Then saith the Lord unto Moses, Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, _that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no_. Exodus xvi. 4.
70. When _therefore the Lord knew_ how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptised more disciples than John. John iv. 1.
71. Because _the foolishness_ of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians i. 25.
72. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and _a book of remembrance_ was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. Malachi iii. 16.