
audiobook
by Felix L. (Felix Leopold) Oswald
A bold, early‑20th‑century essay, this work surveys how ancient societies and medieval cultures were shaped by superstition, then argues for a new “religion of nature” grounded in our innate instincts. The author traces the history of dogmatic doctrines that have suppressed laughter, health, curiosity, freedom and industry, presenting them as obstacles to human flourishing. By invoking thinkers like Spinoza, the text invites readers to reconsider the foundations of belief and to reclaim the natural impulses that have long been labeled sinful.
Written with clear, persuasive prose, the book challenges the reader to examine the ways religious authority has cloaked everyday virtues in guilt and fear. It offers a compelling case for a secular ethic that celebrates reason, joy, and the pursuit of knowledge, positioning these as the true pillars of a future moral framework. Listeners will find both a critique of past dogmas and a hopeful vision for a society guided by nature’s own principles.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (355K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York: The Truth Seeker Company, 1888.
Credits
Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2023-11-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1845–1906
A 19th-century physician and free-thought writer, this author explored health, nature, and religion with a strongly independent mind. His books range from natural hygiene and medicine to critiques of superstition and organized belief.
View all books