311. "All that have Red Hair shall be Damned."

I admit that most Christians are honest--always have admitted it. I

admit that most ministers are honest, and that they are doing the best

they can in their way for the good of mankind; but their doctrines are

hurtful; they do harm in the world; and I am going to do what I can

against their doctrines. They preach this infamy: "He that believes

shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned." Every word

of that text has been an instrument of torture; every letter in that

text has been a sword thrust into the bleeding and quivering heart of

man; every letter has been a dungeon; every line has been a chain; and

that infamous sentence has covered this world with blood. I deny that

"whoso believes shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be

damned." No man can control his belief; you might as well say, "All that

have red hair shall be damned."

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