11th April 2011
“Whenever 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 brutalise Mankind; and for my part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel.”
Thomas Paine1737 – 1809
April 11th, 2011 at 3:03
what a GREAT STATEMENT .
April 11th, 2011 at 8:59
I can’t see many U.S government buildings displaying that quote from one of the founding fathers anytime soon.
April 11th, 2011 at 18:29
Mr. Paine has been largely erased from American history, primarily due to his advocation of deism as opposed to Christianity. Two quick notes:
1. Only six people attended his funeral as he had been ostracized due to his criticism and ridicule of Christianity. (Thus ever to those who oppose the tyranny of the church.)
2. John Adams is reported to have said, “Without the pen of the author of ‘Common Sense,’ the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.” Thank you, Mr. Paine.
April 11th, 2011 at 23:18
Sometimes in the UK and throughout Europe it is fashionable to be patronizing towards the American philosophers and great thinkers. This is usually based on the premise ” they aint got no history yet” BUT the more I learn about them I realise they had the same history as us and decided to change the future and sever the old prejucies. More power to them.
April 23rd, 2011 at 22:12
Interesting site – Thanks.