Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

As a young man Lincoln apparently wrote a manuscript that he planned to publish, which vehemently argued against the divine origin of the Bible and the Christian scheme of salvation. Samuel Hill, a friend and mentor, convinced him to drop it, considering the disastrous consequences it would have on his political career.
In great contests, each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong.

My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures have become clearer and stronger with advancing years, and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them.

The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma.

We, on our side, are praying to Him to give us victory, because we believe we are right; but those on the other side pray to Him, too, for victory, believing they are right. What must He think of us?

I see a very dark cloud on America's horizon, and that cloud is coming from Rome.

When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.

I am for liberty of conscience in its noblest, broadest, and highest sense. But I cannot give liberty of conscience to the pope and his followers, the papists, so long as they tell me, through all their councils, theologians, and canon laws that their conscience orders them to burn my wife, strangle my children, and cut my throat when they find their opportunity.

It will not do to investigate the subject of religion too closely, as it is apt to lead to infidelity.

I am for . . . each individual doing just as he chooses in all matters which concern nobody else.