On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
By engendering the church with the state, a sort of mule-animal, capable only of destroying, and not of breeding up, is produced, called the Church established by Law.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “By engendering the church with the state, a sort of mule-animal, capable only of destroying, and not of breeding up, is…”
Editor's note · Context
From "Rights of Man," this powerful metaphor describes the destructive nature of a state-sponsored religion.
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Discussion and the general will arbitrates the question, and to this, private opinion yields with a good grace, and order is preserved uninterrupted.