The Bible Unmasked by Joseph Lewis was originally published in 1926. This, the 29th
edition, made its way from a New York publishing house in 1965 to the shelves of the San
Francisco Public Library, and ultimately into the grasp of [the vandal]. It is a modest
reader-type publication, consisting of two volumes, photocopied and bound with a
cardstock cover. The cover has been hastily torn to pieces and the first few pages sliced
with a razor blade. Attached is a post-it note with the cryptic note, “Found on the 5th
Floor in ‘slashed’ condition.” Joseph Lewis was a truly progressive thinker, a brave author
who, in 1926, sought to abandon the Biblical morality, which he believed was “as obsolete
as belief in the flatness of the earth.” He pointed out the scathing hypocrisy, womanizing
and perversion of the Bible, and did it with discretion, respect, and admonishment, with
a deep understanding of the word. Now, …years later, I find his writings to be as valid as
ever. To end his introduction, he stated, “I am not writing this treatise as a member of any
particular creed, for I do not belong to any. I am writing it as a member of the human
family, without regard to race or religion, and for the benefit of all mankind.” “Fear, fear
of God, or any other fear, is a negative and destructive force no matter how it is applied.”
[Vandal], what are you so fearful of?