Thomas Paine: “You were strangers to the distressing scene of a family in flight, and to the thousand restless cares and tender sorrows…”

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.

When men unite in agreeing that a thing is good, could it be obtained, such for instance as relief from a burden of taxes and the extinction of corruption, the object is more than half accomplished.

Discussion and the general will arbitrates the question, and to this, private opinion yields with a good grace, and order is preserved uninterrupted.

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