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First of all, we would ask why their gods took no steps to improve the
morals of their worshippers. That the true God should neglect those
who did not seek His help, that was but justice; but why did those
gods, from whose worship ungrateful men are now complaining that they
are prohibited, issue no laws which might have guided their devotees to
a virtuous life? Surely it was but just, that such care as men showed
to the worship of the gods, the gods on their part should have to the
conduct of men. But, it is replied, it is by his own will a man goes
astray. Who denies it? But none the less was it incumbent on these
gods, who were men's guardians, to publish in plain terms the laws of
a good life, and not to conceal them from their worshippers. It was
their part to send prophets to reach and convict such as broke these
laws, and publicly to proclaim the punishments which await
evil-doers, and the rewards which may be looked for by those that do
well. Did ever the walls of any of their temples echo to any such
warning voice? I myself, when I was a young man, used sometimes to
go to the sacrilegious entertainments and spectacles; I saw the
priests raving in religious excitement, and heard the choristers; I
took pleasure in the shameful games which were celebrated in honor of
gods and goddesses, of the virgin Coelestis, and Berecynthia, the
mother of all the gods And on the holy day consecrated to her
purification, there were sung before her couch productions so obscene
and filthy for the ear, I do not say of the mother of the gods, but
of the mother of any senator or honest man, nay, so impure, that not
even the mother of the foul-mouthed players themselves could have
formed one of the audience. For natural reverence for parents is a
bond which the most abandoned cannot ignore. And, accordingly, the
lewd actions and filthy words with which these players honored the
mother of the gods, in presence of a vast assemblage and audience of
both sexes, they could not for very shame have rehearsed at home in
presence of their own mothers. And the crowds that were gathered from
all quarters by curiosity, offended modesty must, I should suppose,
have scattered in the confusion of shame. If these are sacred rites,
what is sacrilege? If this is purification, what is pollution? This
festivity was called the Tables, as if a banquet were being given at
which unclean devils might find suitable refreshment. For it is not
difficult to see what kind of spirits they must be who are delighted
with such obscenities, unless, indeed, a man be blinded by these evil
spirits passing themselves off under the name of gods, and either
disbelieves in their existence, or leads such a life as prompts him
rather to propitiate and fear them than the true God.
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