THE TYRANNY

of GOD

By

JOSEPH LEWIS

The new and daring book on the Philosophy of Atheism

CLARENCE DARROW

eminent lawyer, noted philosopher, and humanitarian, says:

"Your book, 'The Tyranny of God,' is well done. It is a very clear statement of the question, bold and true beyond dispute. I am glad that you wrote it. It is as plain as the multiplication table, which doesn't mean that everyone will believe it. I thank you for writing it. I wish I were the author."

A special edition of "The Tyranny of God," consists of two hundred and fifty copies, printed on Utopian paper, bound in limp leather, gilt top, stamped in gold. Each copy is autographed and numbered by the author.

Second edition, May, 1921
Third edition, April, 1922
Fourth edition, January, 1928
Fifth edition, April, 1930
Sixth edition, October, 1939
Seventh edition, November, 1943

THE TYRANNY OF GOD

BY

JOSEPH LEWIS

THE FREETHOUGHT PRESS ASSOCIATION

New York

COPYRIGHTED, 1921, BY FREETHOUGHT PRESS ASSOCIATION

All Rights Reserved

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dedicated to
Fay
My Dear Wife and Comrade,
Whose Loyal and
Devoted Companionship
Has Made Life Livable.

Table of Contents.

FOREWORD
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION
PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION
INTRODUCTION
THE TYRANNY OF GOD
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
EDISON LETTER TO JOSEPH LEWIS

FOREWORD

Go forth, little book, to destroy fear,
prejudice and superstition, and help to install
Reason in the minds of the human race
to be its guide in the affairs of life and its living.

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION

The most eloquent testimony given this little book is the fact that a second edition is made necessary only a few months after the publication of the first edition.

Favorable comments and letters of recommendation from men and women eminent in literary and scientific realms, and commendatory reviews in periodicals of high standard are, I think, sufficient cause for the belief that "The Tyranny of God" forms a necessary cog in the machinery of intellectual thought and progress.

Even those who bitterly oppose the book admit that it possesses the power to make its readers think.

Of the many opposing reviews and adverse criticism of "The Tyranny of God," not a single one offers an argument in answer to it. For the most part, their characterization has been that it is "pessimistic." As if by calling it "pessimistic," they refute its claims!

If to tell a man the true nature of a disease from which he is suffering, with the hope that he will seek a cure for his malady, is pessimism, then I am a pessimist. Is the use of a danger signal at a hazardous crossing, for the purpose of preventing disaster, pessimism?

If to literally "hold the mirror up to Nature," disclosing Nature's utter disregard for the life and feelings of man, as a warning against the extravagant and useless propagating of life, is pessimism, then surely I am a pessimist.

If a fervent desire to help Man, instead of wasting time in prayer to "God," is pessimism, I am a pessimist.

If to think, to investigate, to express one's thoughts