The Age of ReasonIn The Age of Reason, Thomas Paine declares that all religious traditions are ultimately established for the dependence of mankind. He openly criticizes the Bible and many of the fallacies contained within, as well as providing a shrewd analysis of Christianity and how it developed from its pagan ancestry-arguments many critics claim carry weight today. Being an idealist, a radical, and a master rhetorician, Paine wrote and lived with a keen sense of urgency and excitement. However, he alienated many of his countrymen with his incendiary viewpoints. Forced to leave America for England, Paine eventually returned to the United States in 1802, though he remained all but ostracized. He died in poverty seven years later in 1809. THOMAS PAINE (1737-1809) was an Anglo-American political theorist and writer born in Norfolk, England. In 1774, Paine emigrated to America, bearing letters of introduction from Benjamin Franklin. Soon thereafter, he became involved in the clashes between England and the American colonies and published the enormously successful pamphlet Common Sense in 1776, which was widely distributed and contributed to the patriot cause throughout the American Revolution. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 18
Page 10
... preached and practiced was of the most benevolent kind ; and though similar systems of morality had been preached by Confucius , and by some of the Greek philosophers , many years before ; by the Quakers since ; and by many good men in ...
... preached and practiced was of the most benevolent kind ; and though similar systems of morality had been preached by Confucius , and by some of the Greek philosophers , many years before ; by the Quakers since ; and by many good men in ...
Page 12
... preached most excellent morality and the equality of man ; but he preached also against the corruptions and avarice of the Jewish priests , and this brought upon him the hatred and vengeance of the whole order of priesthood . The ...
... preached most excellent morality and the equality of man ; but he preached also against the corruptions and avarice of the Jewish priests , and this brought upon him the hatred and vengeance of the whole order of priesthood . The ...
Page 22
... preacher was not more than eighteen months ; and it was only during this short time that these men became acquainted with him . They make mention of him at the age of twelve years , sitting , they say , among the Jewish doctors , asking ...
... preacher was not more than eighteen months ; and it was only during this short time that these men became acquainted with him . They make mention of him at the age of twelve years , sitting , they say , among the Jewish doctors , asking ...
Page 29
... preaches to all nations and to all worlds ; and this word of God reveals to man all that is necessary for man to know of God . Do we want to contemplate his power ? We see it in the immensity of the Creation . Do we want to contemplate ...
... preaches to all nations and to all worlds ; and this word of God reveals to man all that is necessary for man to know of God . Do we want to contemplate his power ? We see it in the immensity of the Creation . Do we want to contemplate ...
Page 45
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
absurd Age of Reason Ahaz Almighty ancient apostles appear authenticity Babylon behold believe Bible book called book of Chronicles book of Job book of Joshua book of Luke book of Matthew book of Samuel books ascribed books of Kings chap chapter character Christian system Chronicles church circumstance conceive consequently creation Creator David death Deism doctrine earth everything evidence Ezra fable fabulous former Genesis Gentiles give happened human hundred idea imposition impossible invention Isaiah Jeremiah Jerusalem Jesus Christ Jewish Jews Jonah Joshua king of Judah knowledge language lived Lord Luke manner matter meaning miracle moral Moses mystery Mythologists mythology Nebuchadnezzar person preached pretended priests principles prophesying prophets prove reign resurrection revelation round Samuel Saul says Solomon speaking story supposed system of religion tell Testament thee thou told true truth unto verse whole word writer written Zedekiah
Popular passages
Page 33 - Consider the lilies of the field; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Page 159 - There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
Page 76 - And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to...
Page 103 - And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand : and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries ? and he said, Nay ; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.
Page 143 - So they took the money, and did as they were taught; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Page 91 - Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. 9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go.
Page 115 - At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
Page 139 - And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent...