Researches on the Causes of Atheism.

In reply to the brochure of Monsignor Dupanloup, by a Catholic woman.

Brochure in-8º, bookshop of Messrs. Didier & Company, 35, quai des Augustins and at the office of the Spiritist Review. – Price: 1 fr. 25 c.; by post: 1 fr. 45 c.

The author of this remarkable writing, although sincerely attached to the Catholic beliefs, set out to demonstrate to Monsignor Dupanloup what are the true causes of the plague of atheism and incredulity that is invading society; according to her, interpretations today inadmissible and irreconcilable with the positive data of Science. She proves that on many points the Church has departed from the real meaning of the Scriptures and from the thought of the sacred writers; that religion has only to gain from a more rational interpretation that, without touching the fundamental principles of the dogmas, would be reconciled with reason; that Spiritism, founded upon the very laws of Nature, is the only possible key to a sound interpretation and, by that very fact, the most powerful remedy against atheism. All this is said simply, without enthusiasm, without emphasis or exaltation, and with a close logic. This writing is a complement to Faith and Reason, by Mrs. J. B., and to the Dogmas of the Church of Christ Explained According to Spiritism, by Mr. de Bottin. Notwithstanding being a woman, the authoress gives proof of great theological erudition; she cites and comments with notable justness the sacred writers of all times, and with almost as much ease as Mr. Flammarion cites the scientific authors. One sees that they are familiar to her, which leads us to say that she probably is not making her debut in these matters, and that she must have been some eminent theologian in her preceding existence. Without sharing all of her ideas, we say that, from the point of view in which she placed herself, she could not have spoken better, nor in any other way, and that she did a useful thing for the epoch in which we are.

[1] [Dogmes de l’Eglise du Christ expliqués d’après le Spiritisme, par Apollon de Boltinn - Google Books]