They believed that the Bible was the word of God, but they didn't know where it came from, how long it had been in existence, who wrote it, who translated it or how many different versions there were.

Most of them were almost totally unacquainted with the contents of the book itself.
But all the same, they believed it--after a fashion.
'But puttin' all jokes aside,' said Philpot, 'I can't believe there's sich a place as 'ell.

There may be some kind of punishment, but I don't believe it's a real fire.' 'Nor nobody else, what's got any sense,' replied Harlow, contemptuously.
'I believe as THIS world is 'ell,' said Crass, looking around with a philosophic expression.

This opinion was echoed by most of the others, although Slyme remained silent and Owen laughed.
'Wot the bloody 'ell are YOU laughin' at ?' Crass demanded in an indignant tone.
'I was laughing because you said you think this world is hell.' 'Well, I don't see nothing to laugh at in that,' said Crass.
'So it IS a 'ell,' said Easton.

'There can't be anywheres much worse than this.' ''Ear, 'ear,' said the man behind the moat.
'What I was laughing at is this,' said Owen.