“It taught that the insane were inhabited by devils. Insanity was not a disease. It was produced by demons. It could be cured by prayers”

— Robert G. Ingersoll

A Thanksgiving Sermon (1897)
Context: Disease was produced by devils and could be cured only by priests, decaying bones, and holy water. Doctors were the rivals of priests. They diverted the revenues. The church opposed the study of anatomy—was against the dissection of the dead. Man had no right to cure disease—God would do that through his priests. Man had no right to prevent disease—diseases were sent by God as judgments. The church opposed inoculation—vaccination, and the use of chloroform and ether. It was declared to be a sin, a crime for a woman to lessen the pangs of motherhood. The church declared that woman must bear the curse of the merciful Jehovah. What has the church done? It taught that the insane were inhabited by devils. Insanity was not a disease. It was produced by demons. It could be cured by prayers—gifts, amulets and charms. All these had to be paid for. This enriched the church. These ideas were honestly entertained by Protestants as well as Catholics—by Luther, Calvin, Knox and Wesley.

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Robert G. Ingersoll 439

Union United States Army officer 1833–1899

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“It taught that the insane were inhabited by devils. Insanity was not a disease. It was produced by demons. It could be cured by prayers”

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Robert G. Ingersoll 439

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