Robert G. Ingersoll Answers Some Questions by Edward F. Mac Clennen, Esq.New York, Dec. 14th, 1891 I will answer your questions in the order in which you have asked them: 1st. "Do you believe in God? If so, do you believe in him as a Creator simply, or as a loving Father?" I do not believe in the existence of a personal deity, or in the existence of any Creator. An infinite personality is to my mind an infinite contradiction. So, the idea that back of creation is a Creator who lived in an eternity of idleness, is to me an absurdity. I do not say that there is no God, but I do say that I do not believe there is. 2nd. "Do you believe in Christ as the Son of God by birth, or in Christ as preeminently the Son of God by his perfect life, or in Christ as the best man that ever lived?" I do not believe in Christ as the Son of God by birth, nor in Christ as preeminently the Son of God by his perfect life, nor in Christ as the best man that ever lived. 3rd. "Do you believe in a future life, and if so, do you believe in Eternal punishment in the sense of duration?" Belief ought to be founded on evidence. I have no belief, founded on any evidence, in a future life. One may hope, may say that it is as probable we should live again, as it was at one time that we should live now. But I have no evidence, and consequently, no belief. I do not believe in eternal punishment in the sense of duration. Eternal punishment must be eternal cruelty - and I do not see how any man, unless he has the brain of an idiot, or the heart of a wild beast, can believe in eternal punishment. 4th. "Do you believe in the bible as a writing inspired by a deity?" Not believing in a deity, of course I do not believe that he inspired the Bible. I do not believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, neither do I regard the Scriptures as of any importance to mankind. I am not a believer in the supernatural. Robert Green Ingersoll. Table of Contents | 1993 Issues | Subscribe Truth Seeker | Feedback | Freethought.com Webmaster Credit card Orders call: 800-321-9054 or fax: (619)676-0433 Or send check or money order to: Truth Seeker / 16935 W. Bernardo Drive, Suite 103 / San Diego, CA 92127 $20.00 annual U.S. subscription ($35.00 international). Individual issues—$10.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Or be a committed freethinker and send $35.00 for a two year subscription. Truth Seeker is published by Truth Seeker Co., Inc. (ISSN 0041-3712) © 1996