Paine was a hero of the Revolution, but fell out of favor with many of his American admirers when he published The Age of Reason, which among other things includes a rather blistering attack on Christian scriptures. In a passage that would make Richard Dawkins proud, Paine wrote, "When we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness, that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my own part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel." Phew! Don't hold back, Tommy, tell us how you really feel!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Portrait of Paine
I enjoyed the caption on this portrait of Thomas Paine from an 1898 edition of The Age of Reason, and thought I'd share. (Click the image for a larger version.)
Paine was a hero of the Revolution, but fell out of favor with many of his American admirers when he published The Age of Reason, which among other things includes a rather blistering attack on Christian scriptures. In a passage that would make Richard Dawkins proud, Paine wrote, "When we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness, that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my own part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel." Phew! Don't hold back, Tommy, tell us how you really feel!
Paine was a hero of the Revolution, but fell out of favor with many of his American admirers when he published The Age of Reason, which among other things includes a rather blistering attack on Christian scriptures. In a passage that would make Richard Dawkins proud, Paine wrote, "When we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness, that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my own part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel." Phew! Don't hold back, Tommy, tell us how you really feel!
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3 comments:
Common sense was a very interesting read. I did not know Paine was that vehement against God. I've been putting together a chart of philosophers, and how they addressed different different "major questions." basically, i am trying to chart the progressive thought of human nature concerning some major issues and contrast that to truth, which would be God's word (the opposite of human nature.) im hoping to expan upon a pattern i found when tracing the similiar philosophies of hitler and mussolini back to the enlightenment. if you are very into philosophy, i would love your help or imput. even if you wanted to try it together. i find this stuff so facinating.
Hi Frank,
I don't really have time to help compose such a thing, but I wouldn't mind looking at it when you're done. I wouldn't say Paine was against God, per se. He was a deist, so he believed in God. It was the Bible he had a problem with!
Peace,
-Chris
Well, he's got a bit of a point. Personally, I find the belief that "the Bible is a good source of moral guidance" rather objectionable. As far as merely believing in God or gods is concerned, I disagree, but I don't have a big problem with it.
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