Christian—Will you examine the witnesses?
Atheist—You would more properly do that; I wish to hear you.
Christian—Very well; I will, then, call on Mr. Judgment, and ask, Have you given a decision on the question of the existence of God, and if so, what is your decision?
Judgment—There is no such being.
Christian—Tell us whether you created the idea of a God, or brought it into the world with you, and how you obtained the material from which you manufactured your verdict?
Judgment—"Did I bring the idea into the world with me, or create it?" What a question! Had anybody but a Christian asked it I would have thought it an insult; but, then, Christians are never thinkers. You ought to have known that the thought could not have been created by me. To say I created it would be an endorsement of your foolish idea that something was made of nothing. I have no creative power, much less the power to make something out of nothing; neither did I bring it into the world with me. We have no innate ideas.
Christian—Then where did you get the material from which you made your decision that there is no God?
Judgment—"Where!" I have but one porter, Mr. Reason. He gives all the material upon which I ever act. If you doubt this try and judge of anything upon which you have never reasoned. If you can not do this you must agree with me that judgment can only act and decide by the aid of reason.
Christian—Your argument is conclusive. Now, as you have decided that there is no God, and also claim that your only aid, Mr. Reason, gave you the material out of which you made your decision, will you call him and allow me to ask him a few questions?
Judgment—Most willingly. We all are free thinkers, and delight in investigation. Brother Reason, please call in; Christian is here and wishes a little information of you.