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This thread is for discussing Ch. 6 - The Great Agnostic and the Golden Age of Freethought. You can post within this framework or create your own threads.

p158 Quote:not only because he (Ingersoll) fought for intellectual and spiritual liberty but because his principles required the sacrifice of his political ambitions.Ahhh, even then.

the quotes from Ingersoll's speaches (p173) are quite beautiful. I'm going to have to read some of his writings.

There is not much out there. The library around here has nothing...the librarian did not even know who he was. Sad.He was a great speaker, judging from his written speeches.Mr. P. The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Well, I hadn't heard of Ingersoll before reading this book.

I guess I am more upset that there are no books of his or about him available at the libraries around here...even Paine is kinda scarce.Mr. P. The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Here's some material I found online from Ingersoll:www.infidels.org/library/...ndex.shtml

Yes...I saw that info...I also found a book that collects his major speeches on EBAY.I plan on updating my mrpessimistic website with info and links and anything on people who have promoted atheism and freethought in the past. Just a small contribution, but if more people promote the ideals we hold dear, the more our message will spread. Every little bit helps.Mr. P.Mr. P. The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

I think this country has it's priorities somewhat fucked when we have a College named after a William Jennings Bryan, but not a College named after Robert G. Ingersoll. I didn't know much about this man either until reading this chapter. Where are the successors to men like him?Nice piece you wrote for the home page, Mr P.I know there are men and women who share Ingersoll's sentiment and dreams. The one main ingredient they do not share with Ingersoll is his courage. Fear is keeping them in the closet. And it's going to have to take something extraordinary for one or more of them to emerge.

Quote:Nice piece you wrote for the home page, Mr P.Hey thanks! It came from the heart...and I think it is very true. Quote:Fear is keeping them in the closet.Indeed! We need to find the courage to promote our views...for they are the best hope for humanity, IMHO. This is why I try NOT to back down from the insanity known as religious extremism. I am all well and good with tolerating others beliefs...just keep them in your pocket. Unfortunately for those of faith, a secular mode of society is the only 'neutral' way to live and thus is the best way to go.Mr. P. The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper