The Age of Reason

Millions of people LOVED Paine's early writings calling for independence and individual liberty. But "The Age of Reason" made him a reviled individual. Teddy Roosevelt called him a "filthy little atheist" a hundred years after Paine died. Paine was at one time a beloved advocate of humane and gentle treatment of all God's creatures - after "The Age of Reason" was published he was demonized by the same people as a drunkard and a moral degenerate. In fact, though, this work was intended to point out the flaws of institutionalized religion while at the same time act as an antidote to atheism - NOT to promote it. "...lest in the general wreck of superstition, of false systems of government and false theology, we lose sight of morality, of humanity and of the theology that is true." - Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

If you have an open mind, this is a great book. If not, this book will challenge everything you think you know and more. Thomas Paine was a man among men and lived in a time when folks were challenging the established Societal norms, and were in a revolutionary state of mind. I believe his works were instrumental in fanning the flames of discontent until they set the right people on fire and those people spread their discontent to enough other folks, to the point where it could no longer be tamped down and real Revolution exploded with a fury so hot that it changed the face of the new world forever.

This truly helped me in my full conversion, and would be a good read, even if you aren't trying to convert or reaffirm.