Giordano Bruno and Religious Liberty
By Editor
WE would by no means have our readers get the idea that we are defenders of the opinions of Giordano Bruno, who was put to death by Papal Rome, February 17, 1600, because we condemn the Papacy. His opinions were erroneous and hurtful, and were no better than the creed of the church which he renounced. But whatever those opinions were, theism or pantheism, he had as good a right to present them to the public as had Romish priests the teaching of Rome. And Papal Rome had no more right to put to death Giordano Bruno, than Pagan Rome had to put to death the apostle Paul. For our religious, or anti-religious opinions, if they do not affect by overt act the lives, property, reputation, or chastity of our fellows, we are responsible to God, and to God alone.