Thomas Paine: “Our style and manner of thinking have undergone a revolution, more extraordinary than the political revolution of the…”

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.

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.

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

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.