proper name in an average Christian household would be regarded as
a wicked blasphemer.

And yet, what would a Christian congregation say of an "Infidel" who
committed half the crimes and outrages of any one of those Bible heroes?

Do you know what the Christians call Tom Paine? To this day the
respectable Christian Church or chapel goer shudders at the name of
the "infidel," Tom Paine. But in point of honour, of virtue, of
humanity, and general good character, not one of the Bible heroes
I have mentioned was worthy to clean Tom Paine's shoes.

Now, it states in the Bible that God loved Jacob, and hated Esau.
Esau was a _man_, and against him the Bible does not chronicle one
bad act. But God _hated_ Esau.

And it states in the Bible that Elijah went up in a chariot of fire
to heaven.

And in the New Testament Christ or His apostles speak of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob as being in heaven. Paul speaks of David as a
"man after God's own heart"; Elijah and Moses come down from heaven,
and appear talking with Christ; and, in Hebrews, Paul praises Samuel,
Jephtha, Samson, and David.

My point is not that these heroes were bad men, but that, in a book
alleged to be the word of God, they are treated as heroes.

I have been accused of showing irreverence towards these barbarous
kings and priests. Irreverence! It is like charging a historian