>"Choosing points of the most definitive character, Christianity abolished (1)
>gladiatorial shows, and other spectacles of horrid cruelty to men;
And replaced them with the Crusades, witch burnings, and other alternate
spectacles of horrid cruelty to men (and women).
>(2) human
>sacrifices;
See witch-burning above.
>(3) polygamy;
Unless you count Mormons.
However, this seems a little out of place. Polygamy certainly is a little
wierd, and I wouldn't go for it, but it hardly seems like it belongs in a
list of great human evils.
>(4) exposure of children;
What does this refer to? The fact that Christian Conquistadors forced
native populations to wear clothes, even though they were perfectly
comfortable without them? In what way did this help anybody?
>(5) slavery (in its old
>form, and has nearly accomplished the work in its new);
I am unclear as to how Christianity can claim the bulk of the responsibility
for abolishing slavery.
>(6) cannibalism.
That's right. All non-Christian cultures have advocated cannibalism.
Give me a break.
>Next,
>Christianity drove into the shade all unnatural lusts, and, indeed, all
>irregular passions.
Please define "unnatural lusts" and "irregular passions" and explain what
is evil about them. From a logical basis, mind you.
>Next,
>Christianity estalished (1) generally speaking, the moral and social equality
>of women;
As does humanist morality.
>(2) the duty of relieving the poor, the sick and the afflicted;
As does humanist morality.
>(3)
>peace, instead of war, as the ordinary presumptive relation between nations.
As does liberal philosophy.
I should have disected this paragraph earlier, but I've just been too busy.
I'm glad I got back to it, because it really didn't take that much effort
at all to deal with Gladstone's assertions.
_____________________________________________________________
| Russell Stewart |
| http://www.rt66.com/diamond/ |
|_____________________________________________________________|
| Albuquerque, New Mexico | diamond@rt66.com |
|_____________________________|_______________________________|
2 + 2 = 5, for very large values of 2.