SECULARISM V. CHRISTIANITY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3077, 5 April 1892, Page 2

SECULARISM V. CHRISTIANITY.

TO TUB KPITOK. Sill, —The nn'y evidence "Onlooker" has to offer in t. nf the reality of miracles is assertions 'l.avn from the Ui'jlo—and to use his mvn \v " Assertions no mutter from wlr r Mltu'vn nr.) worthless when unsupported by proof." Critically examined, all tliii e.vidjiico t!i-tfc cmi be adduced in pro;.f nf the u'l'eate-t miracles of all, the resurrect'on mid mean 'ion of Jesus, is ?o hopelessly inconsistent un'l contradictory as to te pncti-a'ly valueless; any man of ordinary intellicence can satisfy himself on this point by comparing the conflicting statements of Matthew, Mark, Luke, J.ilin and Paul. With reference to prophecy there is one clear and distinct prediction by the highlit possible, authority, by which the value of all other prophecies may be tested and that is the prophecy of Jesus himself, "For the Sin of Man shall coina in the pjlory of His Father with His angels ; and then shall Hi reward every tnan according to his works." " Verily I say unt > yon there be some standing here which shall not tasto death till they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom." The same event is predicted by St. Paul in terms, equally clear and definite, " For this wo say unto yon by the word of the Lord, that wo which are here alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of tho archangel, and with tlifl trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." Here we have a distinct prediction of the event which was to happen and the litrit of time within which it was to take place. Has that pre diction been fulfilled? "Onlooker " refers to mi abortive attempt made by Mr Gladstone to reconcile the fables of tha Bible with the facts of science, in which that illustrious wood-cutter admits that he is " wholly destitute nf that, kind of knowledge which carries authority," a statement fully borne out by his utter failure, and his subsequent admission that his proposition ha 1 been completely pulverised by Professor Huxley, that Genesis " is only a summary which cmnot but be open to more or less criticism in detail "—and in short, that he thinks it "is only a sermon ! " The Bible teaches that the sun, moon, stars, and the earth and all that lives and moves upon it were made in six days, about as «nany thousand years ago. That the first man, Adam, through an act of disobedience brought sin and death into the world, and that the human race can only be regenerated by supernatural means. Science proves that the earth has been in existence for millions and millions of year-, and that hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of years have elapsed since our palaeolithic ancestors lived in caves, like wild animals, and hunted the mammoth, cave-bear, etc., with rude stone weapons which they had not yet learnt to shape or polish. From those distant ages, man has traced in his gndual progress onwards and upwards to the proud position he now occupies. If "Onlooker" possessed even the most superficial knowledge of current scientific literature, it would be unnecessary for me to tall him these things, and it is to be hoped, that before entering into a controversy of this nature, in the future, he will endeavour to fit himself for the task.

In reply to "Tolerance," I submit the following definitions of the terms he mentions : — "Life"—Life in its simplest form has been scientifically defined as "a state of matter in which the particles are in a state of flux, and the individual existence depends on the prominence of a definite form, through which fresh particles are continually entering, forming new combinations and passing away." " Truth " —Truth is an apprehension of things as they actually exist. " Goodness A'l things that tend to promote the mental, inord, and physical well-being of the human race are pood. " Sin " —A wrong of any kind done to another. "Christianity " —A system of theology— based upon a alleged revelation contained in the Bible, which is said to be an inspired record, convoying a Divine message from "God "to tnan. In regard t ■ what I have to offer in place of orthodox Christianity, I can only suggest a plain, straightforward, code of morality that shall embody the highest ethic d teachings of the three great religions of the world—Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoioastrianism. —Yours, faithfully, Agnostic.