This crime called blasphemy was invented by priests for the purpose of defending doctrines not able to take care of themselves.

The good part of Christmas is not always Christian -- it is generally Pagan; that is to say, human, natural.

The myth of hell represents all the meanness, all the revenge, all the selfishness, all the cruelty, all the hatred, all the infamy of which the heart of man is capable.

You cannot show real respect to your parents by perpetuating their errors.... Do you consider that the inventor of a steel plow cast a slur upon his father who scratched the ground with a wooden one? I do not consider that an invention by the son is a slander upon the father; I regard each invention simply as an improvement; and every father should be exceedingly proud of an ingenious son. If Mr. Talmage has a son, it will be impossible for him to honor his father except by differing with him.

It is grander to think and investigate for yourself than to repeat a creed.

the inventor of the plow did more good than the maker of the first rosary - because, say what you will, plowing is better than praying.

Few nations have been so poor as to have but one god. Gods were made so easily, and the raw material cost so little, that generally the god market was fairly glutted and heaven crammed with these phantoms.