212. Why Should the Church be Merciful?

Give any orthodox church the power, and to-day they would punish heresy

with whip, and chain, and fire. As long as a church deems a certain

belief essential to salvation, just so long it will kill and burn if it

has the power. Why should the Church pity a man whom her God hates? Why

should she show mercy to a kind and noble heretic whom her God will burn

in eternal fire?

Ingersollia Gems of Thought from the Lectures, Speeches, and Conversations of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Representative of His Opinions and Beliefs · 第 226 / 549 题