Is the Bible Worth Reading, and Other Essays

In this bracing collection of essays, L.K. Washburn asks the question that dare not speak its name in polite society: is the Bible worth reading? His answer, delivered with the confidence of a 19th-century rationalist, is devastating. For the average reader seeking practical wisdom, scientific knowledge, or political guidance, Washburn argues, the ancient text offers little beyond mythology and moral instruction suited to a more superstitious age. He marshals contemporary literature, science, and philosophy to make his case: the Bible is a relic, valuable primarily to scholars of ancient history and those who profit from preaching it. What makes this collection compelling isn't merely its skepticism but its underlying premise: that adults should think for themselves rather than accept inherited wisdom, and that withholding damaging ideas from young minds until they can evaluate them critically might serve humanity better. Written in an era when challenging religious orthodoxy required real courage, these essays preserve a vital moment in the ongoing debate between faith and reason. For readers interested in the intellectual history of secularism, the freethought movement, or simply a provocateur who refused to genuflect, this collection remains a fascinating artifact of rationalist critique.