Project Gutenberg's Good Sense, by Paul Henri Thiry, Baron D'Holbach

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Title: Good Sense
1772

Author: Paul Henri Thiry, Baron D'Holbach

Translator: Unknown

Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7319]
Posting Date: July 29, 2009

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOOD SENSE ***

Produced by Freethought Archives

GOOD SENSE WITHOUT GOD:

OR

FREETHOUGHTS OPPOSED TO SUPERNATURAL IDEAS

By Baron D'holbach

"Freethinker's Library" Series

London: W. Stewart & Co.

A Translation Of Baron D'holbach's "Le Bon Sens"

Transcriber's note: this e-text is based on an undated English translation
of "Le Bon Sens" published c. 1900. The name of the translator was not
stated.

"_Atheism_ leaves men to Sense, to Philosophy, to Laws, to
Reputation, all which may be guides to moral Virtue, tho'
Religion were not: but Superstition dismounts all these, and
erects an absolute Monarchy in the Minds of Men. Therefore,
Atheism did never perturb States; but Superstition hath been
the confusion of many. The causes of Superstition are
pleasing and sensual rights, and Ceremonies; Excess of
Pharisaical and outside holiness, Reverence to Traditions
and the stratagems of Prelates for their own Ambition and
Lucre."--_Lord Bacon._

CONTENTS

1. APOLOGUE

2. What is Theology?

3. What is Theology?

4. Man is not born with any ideas of Religion

5. It is not necessary to believe in a God

6. Religion is founded on credulity

7. All religion is an absurdity

8. The idea of God is impossible

9. On the Origin of Superstition

10. On the Origin of all Religion

11. Religious fears expose men to become a prey to imposters

12. Religion seduces ignorance by the aid of the marvellous

13. Religion seduces ignorance by the aid of the marvellous

14. No Religion, if not ages of Stupidity and Barbarism

15. All Religion was produced by the desire of domination

16. What serves as a basis to Religion is most uncertain

17. It is impossible to be convinced of the existence of a God

18. It is impossible to be conv