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The Age of Reason
The Age of Reason
Writings of Thomas Paine — Volume 4 (1794-1796)
In the opening year, 1793, when revolutionary France had beheaded its king, the wrath turned next upon the King of kings, by whose grace every tyrant claimed to reign. But eventualities had brought among them a great English and American heart -- Thomas Paine. He had pleaded for Louis Caper -- "Kill the king but spare the man." Now he pleaded, -- "Disbelieve in the King of kings, but do not confuse with that idol the Father of Mankind"
Book Excerpt
nce to Paine's footnote (itself altered in some editions!), in which he says: "If this has happened within such a short space of time, notwithstanding the aid of printing, which prevents the alteration of copies individually; what may not have happened in a much greater length of time, when there was no printing, and when any man who could write, could make a written copy, and call it an original, by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
Nothing appears to me more striking, as an illustration of the far-reaching effects of traditional prejudice, than the errors into which some of our ablest contemporary scholars have fallen by reason of their not having studied Paine. Professor Huxley, for instance, speaking of the freethinkers of the eighteenth century, admires the acuteness, common sense, wit, and the broad humanity of the best of them, but says "there is rarely much to be said for their work as an example of the adequate treatment of a grave and difficult investigation," and that they shared with their adve
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Just finished my first read of Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason today. I'm a full-time historian and daily reader of books with a personal library of about 1,000 volumes. The Age of Reason is a work unlike any other of which I am aware. It speaks truth overall and without regard to "political correctness" or any other false parameters including so-called religious dogmas and priests or parsons or popes and certainly not prophets. I strongly recommend it for open-minded readers as well for those who are willing to "take a chance." Paine pulls no punches, and I welcome his approach. Just wish I'd read before long ago!
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This is a brilliant, cogent masterpiece; a fitting opus to well-round the life work of one of history’s intellectual giants. By employing a prose that is both lucid and surprisingly vernacular, the ideas presented should be accessible to most of today’s readers. Thomas Paine exposes and discusses critical discrepancies, contradictions, and patent irrationalities contained within the core precepts of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious systems. Therefore, I presume that for the religiously inclined -- and as evidenced by one review below -- Paine’s work may represent a considerable philosophical threat. Mark Twain wrote, “It took a brave man before the Civil War to confess he had read The Age of Reason. [...] I read it first when I was a cub pilot, read it with fear and hesitation, but marveling at its fearlessness and wonderful power.”
06/09/2011
A sterling work by one of the great thinkers and polemicists of the American Revolution.
l find hlhenry's insinuation that the "Founding Father's" rejected Paine's "Age of Reason" because they "experienced "particular and personal Providence." at best a half truth. Yes, the Founders were often disposed to reject Paine's work, but as excessively radical and invidiously "democratical" as much as for any religious reasons
If we think of the Founders as comprised of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, major figure in politics and war that led victory, and the framers of the Constitution, then in terms of religion we have a diverse group. Many, perhaps a majority were titular Episcopalians, but the American branch of the Church of England was all but entirely disposed toward Latitudinarianism, that is to say Deism with sermons. A few were protestants of other denominations, and a handful were Roman Catholic. Some joined with Jefferson, in a more public embrace of Deism. Other's were the same, but in less visible fashion. A few like Paine and Franklin publicly or privately took Deist positions that today would be seen as edging on atheism, arguing that the voice of nature provides surfeit grounds for moral knowledge and human advancement.
As an aside- after a decades long work in support of the French Revolution- Paine returned to the United States at the personal invitation of President Jefferson. At his death, he was buried on the farm given him by Congress at the end of the Revolutionary war.
hlhenry writes with half truths, exaggeration and misdirection, tactics common to the religious fanatics who today endanger our republic.
The point of this mild diatribe is to encourage a reading of this wonderful document. History is a friend of freedom and a remedy to tyranny.
l find hlhenry's insinuation that the "Founding Father's" rejected Paine's "Age of Reason" because they "experienced "particular and personal Providence." at best a half truth. Yes, the Founders were often disposed to reject Paine's work, but as excessively radical and invidiously "democratical" as much as for any religious reasons
If we think of the Founders as comprised of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, major figure in politics and war that led victory, and the framers of the Constitution, then in terms of religion we have a diverse group. Many, perhaps a majority were titular Episcopalians, but the American branch of the Church of England was all but entirely disposed toward Latitudinarianism, that is to say Deism with sermons. A few were protestants of other denominations, and a handful were Roman Catholic. Some joined with Jefferson, in a more public embrace of Deism. Other's were the same, but in less visible fashion. A few like Paine and Franklin publicly or privately took Deist positions that today would be seen as edging on atheism, arguing that the voice of nature provides surfeit grounds for moral knowledge and human advancement.
As an aside- after a decades long work in support of the French Revolution- Paine returned to the United States at the personal invitation of President Jefferson. At his death, he was buried on the farm given him by Congress at the end of the Revolutionary war.
hlhenry writes with half truths, exaggeration and misdirection, tactics common to the religious fanatics who today endanger our republic.
The point of this mild diatribe is to encourage a reading of this wonderful document. History is a friend of freedom and a remedy to tyranny.
07/15/2010
An unfortuanate attempt by a formerly brilliant and passionate Patriot that was destined to failure.
The Founders, who experienced particular and personal Providence as evidenced by their testimonies, writings and training, universally condemned this work. Paine failed to convince but few who did not feel personally attacked and in the end no American cemetery would receive his remains. Benjamin Franklin's letter to Paine:
(http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=58)
This book is a far cry from his most inspirational work "Common Sense."
http://manybooks.net/titles/painethoetext03comsn10a.html
The Founders, who experienced particular and personal Providence as evidenced by their testimonies, writings and training, universally condemned this work. Paine failed to convince but few who did not feel personally attacked and in the end no American cemetery would receive his remains. Benjamin Franklin's letter to Paine:
(http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=58)
This book is a far cry from his most inspirational work "Common Sense."
http://manybooks.net/titles/painethoetext03comsn10a.html
07/03/2010
Great stuff. It's hard to believe we have strayed so far from our founding fathers viewpoints and intentions. Great intellect truly is a radical thing and is far and few 898between.
07/16/2009
Absolutely intriguing work. Paine's ideas on religion, and christianity wer well ahead of his time.
11/23/2004
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FEATURED AUTHOR - Nina Atwood is a licensed psychotherapist and executive coach by day, and a writer on weekends and whenever she can grab a few minutes. She is the author of multiple self-help books and has recently turned her pen to fiction. Unlikely Return is her first novel, soon to be followed by the second, Free Fall, which is scheduled for release in late 2020. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and two adorable cats.