1996 · CLOSE READING
The Law is for All
The Law is for All (1996), PDF p. 168
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Chapter III A Verses 46— 53
169
for though they be, or represent, the Magi of the past, the curse of
their Grade must consume them.
Thus it is the eyes of “Jesus” — his point of view—that must
be destroyed; and this point of view is wrong because of his
Magical Gesture of self-sacrifice.
One must not for a moment suppose that this verse supports
the historicity of “Jesus.” “Jesus” is not, and never was, a man;
but he was a “god,” just as a bundle of old rags and a kerosene
tin on a bush may be a “god.” There is a man-made idea, built of
ignorance, fear, and meanness, for the most part, which we call
“Jesus,” and which has been tricked out from time to time with
various gauds from Paganism, and Judaism.
The subject of “Jesus” is, most unfortunately, too extensive for
a note; it is treated fully in my book 888.1
1 [See Jesus: The Gospel According to St. Bernard Shaw in Works
Cited.]
52. I flap my wings in the face of Mohammed & blind him.
Commentary: Mohammed’s point of view is wrong too;
but he needs no such sharp correction as “Jesus.” It is his face —
his outward semblance — that is to be covered with His wings.
The tenets of Islam, correctly interpreted, are not far from our
Way of Life and Light and Love and Liberty. This applies espe
cially to the secret tenets. The external creed is mere nonsense
suited to the intelligence of the peoples among whom it was
promulgated; but even so, Islam is magnificent in practice. Its
code is that of a man of courage and honour and self-respect; con
trasting admirably with the cringing cowardice of the damnation
dodging Christians with their unmanly and dishonest acceptance
of vicarious sacrifice, and their currish conception of themselves
as “born in sin,” “miserable sinners” with “no health in us.”
53. With my claws I tear out the flesh of the Indian and the
Buddhist, Mongol and Din.
Commentary: “the Indian”. The religion of Hindustan,
metaphysically and mystically comprehensive enough to assure
itself the possession of much truth, is in practice almost as
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