Religion

struggle4progress

(118,295 posts) Sun Apr 8, 2018, 02:03 PM Apr 2018

Was it Heaven? Or Hell? (Mark Twain)

... "Hester, wouldn't you tell a lie to shield a person from an undeserved injury or shame?"

"No" ...

... He rose up, mumbling and grumbling, and started for the door, stumping vigorously along. At the threshold he turned and rasped out an admonition: "Reform! Drop this mean and sordid and selfish devotion to the saving of your shabby little souls, and hunt up something to do that's got some dignity to it! RISK your souls! risk them in good causes; then if you lose them, why should you care? Reform!" ...

... They had completed the human being's first duty -- which is to think about himself until he has exhausted the subject, then he is in a condition to take up minor interests and think of other people. This changes the complexion of his spirits -- generally wholesomely. The minds of the two old ladies reverted to their beloved niece and the fearful disease which had smitten her; instantly they forgot the hurts their self-love had received, and a passionate desire rose in their hearts to go to the help of the sufferer and comfort her with their love, and minister to her, and labor for her the best they could with their weak hands, and joyfully and affectionately wear out their poor old bodies in her dear service if only they might have the privilege ...

Hannah's eyes were swimming in tears. She said:

"God forgive me, I told her the child was well!" ...

http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/wihoh.html

6 replies

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Highlight:

Was it Heaven? Or Hell? (Mark Twain) (Original Post) struggle4progress Apr 2018 OP

Now, there was a writer. MineralMan Apr 2018 #1

I think Twain was an atheist but with excellent humanist instincts struggle4progress Apr 2018 #3

He probably would reject that label, too. MineralMan Apr 2018 #4

That guy was a hoot. Binkie The Clown Apr 2018 #2

He described the book of Mormon thusly: Mariana Apr 2018 #5

Mark Twain was a wise man. Jim__ Apr 2018 #6

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)

1. Now, there was a writer.

Reply to struggle4progress (Original post)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 02:18 PM

Apr 2018

This is not one of his better-known stories, but it remains a good one. Samuel Clemens, if he was a Christian, was not a typical one. He saw the world in his own way. Often, in his writings, you can see that contemplation of religion was not something he engaged in in a worshipful way.

He had an obvious contempt for the Pharisee-like religious beliefs that surrounded him, and had no patience for it.

A remarkable writer. We read only a little of what he wrote, really. More's the pity,

struggle4progress

(118,295 posts)

3. I think Twain was an atheist but with excellent humanist instincts

Reply to MineralMan (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 03:38 PM

Apr 2018

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)

4. He probably would reject that label, too.

Reply to struggle4progress (Reply #3)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 03:40 PM

Apr 2018

I don't know if anyone ever asked him, though.

Binkie The Clown

(7,911 posts)

2. That guy was a hoot.

Reply to struggle4progress (Original post)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 02:36 PM

Apr 2018

Read his take on Christian Science, or his blistering review of James Fenimore Cooper's literary offenses.

Mariana

(14,858 posts)

5. He described the book of Mormon thusly:

Reply to Binkie The Clown (Reply #2)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 04:20 PM

Apr 2018

All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the "elect" have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so "slow," so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle--keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate. If he, according to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriously-engraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out-of-the-way locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason.

Here's a link to a copy of the whole essay:

http://www.truthandgrace.com/twainbom.htm

Jim__

(14,077 posts)

6. Mark Twain was a wise man.

Reply to struggle4progress (Original post)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 06:31 PM

Apr 2018

And he could tell a pretty good story too.

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