Gratis P. Spencer

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Gratis P. Spencer

Birth
Vermont, USA
Death
15 Jan 1908 (aged 82–83)
Lyndon, Caledonia County, Vermont, USA
Burial
Lyndon, Caledonia County, Vermont, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Gratis Spencer was a stonecutter who carved his own epitaph before he died. When it was unveiled, his acquaintances in life were surprised to see this:

Science has never killed or persecuted a single person for doubting or denying its teaching, and most of these teaching have been true; but religion has murdered millions for doubting or denying her dogmas and most of these dogmas have been false.
All stories about gods and devils, of heavens and hells, as they do not conform to nature, and are not apparent to sense, should be rejected without consideration.
Beyond the universe there is nothing and within the universe the supernatural does not and cannot exist.
Of all deceivers who have plagued mankind, none are so deeply ruinous to human happiness as those imposters who pretend to lead by a light above nature.
The lips of the dead are closed forever. There comes no voice from the tomb. Christianity is responsible for having cast the fable of eternal fire over almost every grave.
Gratis Spencer was a stonecutter who carved his own epitaph before he died. When it was unveiled, his acquaintances in life were surprised to see this:

Science has never killed or persecuted a single person for doubting or denying its teaching, and most of these teaching have been true; but religion has murdered millions for doubting or denying her dogmas and most of these dogmas have been false.
All stories about gods and devils, of heavens and hells, as they do not conform to nature, and are not apparent to sense, should be rejected without consideration.
Beyond the universe there is nothing and within the universe the supernatural does not and cannot exist.
Of all deceivers who have plagued mankind, none are so deeply ruinous to human happiness as those imposters who pretend to lead by a light above nature.
The lips of the dead are closed forever. There comes no voice from the tomb. Christianity is responsible for having cast the fable of eternal fire over almost every grave.