with disrespect to the memory of Nero.

I have been accused of having an animus against Moses, and David,
and all the rest. I have no animus against any man, nor do I presume
to censure my fellow creatures. I only wish to show that these
favourites of God were not admirable characters, and that therefore
the Bible cannot be a divine revelation. As for animus: I do not
believe any of these men ever existed. I regard them as myths.
Should one be angry with a myth? I should as soon think of being
angry with Bluebeard, or the Giant that Jack slew.

But I should be astonished to hear that Bluebeard had been promoted
to the position of a holy patriarch, and a model of all the virtues
for the emulation of innocent children in a modern Sunday school.
And I think it is time the Church considered itself, and told the
truth about Jehovah, and Moses, and Joshua, and Samson.

If you fail to agree with me I can only accept your decision with
respectful astonishment.




THE BOOK OF BOOKS


Floods of sincere, but unmerited, adulation have been lavished on
the Hebrew Bible. The world has many books of higher moral and
literary value. It would be easy to compile, from the words of
Heretics and Infidels, a purer and more elevated moral guide than