In existographies, Noel Journet (1554-1582) (RMS:14) is a French schoolteacher and freethinker noted for []
Overview
In c.1580, Journet penned two manuscripts showing inconsistencies in the Bible, such as how Moses could have written the Old Testament, if the book tells of Moses’ own death; how could Samson bring down a building with his own hands, when columns of buildings are separated by a far greater distance than arm’s length; how could Sarah at her advanced age possibly kindle the pharaoh’s lust? [3]
Journet asserted in full that the Bible was a fable. Journet asserted that Jesus was fully human and therefore an impostor. He also attempted to start a new religion, per belief that people needed religion, but that the Christian religion and its idea of god were wicked. [1]
Reaction end
In 1582, Journet was burned at the stake, in Metz, France, with his books, for “blasphemy and execrable atheism”. Henry III of France (1551-1589) (Ѻ), supposedly, congratulated the magistrates in their diligence in solving the matter so quickly. [3]
Education
Journet was schoolteacher at Ardennes. [2]
Quotes
The following are noted quotes:
“Holy scripture is full of fables, and of all sorts of fantasies and falsehoods.”
— Noel Journet (c.1580) [2]
References
1. (a) Wootton, David. (1992). “Chapter”, in: Atheism from the Reformation to the Enlightenment (editors: Michael Hunter and David Wootton) (abs) (pg. 29). Clarendon.
(b) Hecht, Jennifer M. (2003). Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas (pg. 289). HarperOne.
2. Spencer, Nick. (2014). Atheists: the Origin of Species (pg. #). Bloomsbury.
3. Finkin, Matthew W. (2009). For the Common Good: Principles of American Academic Freedom (pg. 15). Yale University Press.
Further reading
● Cooke, Bill. (2005). Dictionary of Atheism, Skepticism, and Humanism (pg. 297). Prometheus.
