On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
In such cases, who is to decide, the living or the dead?
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgIn such cases, who is to decide, the living or the dead?
In "Rights of Man," Paine poses a rhetorical question to underscore that the present generation must have the authority to govern itself.
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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.
Why may we not suppose, that the great Father of all is pleased with variety of devotion; and that the greatest offence we can act, is that by which we seek to torment and render each other miserable?
As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.