Thomas Paine: “Why is it that scarcely any are executed but the poor?”

But as religion is very improperly made a political machine, and the reality of it is thereby destroyed, I will conclude this work with stating in what light religion appears to me.

It is only those who have not thought that appear to agree.

As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.

If, therefore, the good to be obtained be worthy of a passive, rational, and costless revolution, it would be bad policy to prefer waiting for a calamity that should force a violent one.