Release date is 2012-03-12

Preface -- The Devil in the Church of England -- Religion in the Rocky Mountains -- The story of a famous old Jewish farm -- Christmas eve in the upper circles -- A word on blasphemy -- Heine on an illustrious exile, with something about whales -- The Daily News -- Jesus: as God; as a man -- The one thing needful -- The Swinburne controversy -- Great Christ is dead -- Resurrection and ascension of Jesus -- Some Muslim laws and beliefs -- The Christian World and the Secularist -- The Athanasian creed -- Our obstructions -- Mr. Kingsley's convertites -- The Primate on the church and the world -- Spiritism in the police court -- A commission of inquiry on royalty -- Draft -- A Bible lesson on monarchy -- Principal Tulloch on personal immortality -- The estabished church.

Produced by David Widger

"Satire and Profanities" by James Thomson is a collection of satirical writings likely penned in the late 19th century. This compilation features a series of pieces that critique religion, particularly Christianity, alongside topics related to society and politics, often employing sharp wit and irony. The book aims to provoke thought and stir debate on contentious issues, reflecting Thomson's literary ambition as a freethinker. The opening portion of "Satire and Profanities" begins with a preface by G.W. Foote, who champions Thomson as an important voice for freethought since the poet Shelley. Foote outlines the intention behind the collection: to revive significant articles that Thomson had previously published in various secularist publications, emphasizing the timeless and controversial nature of satire, especially when directed at religious beliefs. The preface also briefly delves into Thomson’s life, detailing his struggles and the profound melancholia that influenced his writing, setting the stage for the incisive and critical essays to follow in the collection. The first essay, "The Devil in the Church of England," is introduced, promising to examine the complexities and contradictions present in religious practices and beliefs, particularly the Church of England's views on the Devil and eternal punishment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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