M. M. Mangasarian

Is Life Worth Living Without Immortality?

THE STORY OF MY MIND OR HOW I BECAME A RATIONALIST

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Sacrificing the earth for paradise is giving up the substance for the shadow.

—Victor Hugo.

Is Life Worth Living
Without Immortality?

A Lecture Delivered Before
the Independent Religious
Society, Chicago

By

M. M. MANGASARIAN

I may be doing you an injustice, Bertie, but it seemed to me in your last that there were indications that the free expression of my religious views had been distasteful to you. That you should disagree with me I am prepared for; but that you should object to free and honest discussion of those subjects which above all others men should be honest over, would, I confess, be a disappointment. The Free-thinker is placed at this disadvantage in ordinary society, that whereas it would be considered very bad taste upon his part to obtrude his unorthodox opinion, no such consideration hampers those with whom he disagrees. There was a time when it took a brave man to be a Christian. Now it takes a brave man not to be.

SIR A. CONAN DOYLE,
The Stark Munro Letters—Fourth Letter.