Thomas Paine: “I am not one of those who wish to see Europe in a flame, because I am persuaded that such an event will not shorten the…”

Reason and discussion, persuasion and conviction, become the weapons in the contest, and it is only when those are attempted to be suppressed that recourse is had to violence.

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.

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

In those which proceed from the former cause, the temper becomes incensed and soured; and the redress, obtained by danger, is too often sullied by revenge.