Paine in the @$$

"Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing." - Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine rocks. Were it not for him and his writings, the United States of America would not exist - in fact, he coined the term. He, like most if not all the Founding Fathers, was a Deist. His most famous works are "Common Sense" which rallied the colonials to take up arms against England, and "Age of Reason" which details his own quest for truth and serves as a reasoned rejection of religion.

Truth be told, even after reading a few short chapters of "Age of Reason," I believe it is something all Christians should read and consider. It would make for quite the rowdy and controversial Bible study.

Paine was a pain in the keister to the ruling class and religious establishment. Early in his essayist career was regarded as a hero, and sparked democratic revolution both in the American Colonies and also overseas, but in his later years was "demonized" for his criticism of Christianity and all forms of "revealed religion." He wrote "Age of Reason" later in his life, knowing that the crap would hit the fan because of it. He was the definitition a a principled man and radical - a radical to this day, in view of what the country he helped found has become.

And I dare say: Thomas Paine is closer to the character of Jesus the Christ than most if not all of those who claim to follow Him.

You'll hear more about this guy in posts to come.

Below are some links for more info, including highlights at Wikipedia and links to "Age of Reason."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
http://www.thomaspaine.org/Archives/AOR1.html
http://www.thomaspaine.org/Archives/AOR2.html