Thomas Paine Quotes
Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities. It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance. It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry. It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe. It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same. It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes. It is the direction and not the magnitude which is to be taken into consideration. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice. My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. My mind is my own church. Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst. One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests. Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law. Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one. Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society. That God cannot lie, is no advantage to your argument, because it is no proof that priests can not, or that the Bible does not. That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.
Web Toolbar by Wibiya 