Thomas Paine: “While the enemy of liberty was its judge, the progress of its principles must have been small indeed.”

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

I have carefully avoided to enlarge upon the subject, because I am inclined to believe that what is called the present ministry, wish to see contentions about religion kept up, to prevent the nation turning its attention to subjects of…

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

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.