The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries, that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called revelation, or revealed religion. It has been the most dishonourable belief against the character of the divinity, the most destructive to morality, and the peace and happiness of man, that ever was propagated since man began to exist. It is better, far better, that we admitted, if it were possible, a thousand devils to roam at large, and to preach publicly the doctrine of devils, if there were any such, than that we permitted one such impostor and monster as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and the Bible prophets, to come with the pretended word of God in his mouth, and have credit among us.Whence arose all the horrid assassinations of whole nations of men, women, and infants, with which the Bible is filled; and the bloody persecutions, and tortures unto death and religious wars, that since that time have laid Europe in blood and ashes; whence arose they, but from this impious thing called revealed religion, and this monstrous belief that God has spoken to man? The lies of the Bible have been the cause of the one, and the lies of the Testament of the other.
affliction ashes assassinations belief bible blood credit cruelty death detestable devils dishonourable doctrine europe happiness horrid impostor joshua lies misery monster morality moses origin peace persecutions prophets religion religious-wars revealed-religion revelation samuel testament the-bible torture war wickedness word-of-god

About This Quote

About Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine was a 18th-century American philosopher and author. Thomas Paine was an English-born American Founding Father, French Revolutionary, inventor, political philosopher, and statesman. His pamphlets Common Sense (1776) and The American Crisis (1776–1783) framed the Patriot argument for independence from Great Britain at the outset of the American Revolution. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • Death — Contemplations on mortality, loss, and the legacy we leave
  • Happiness — Thoughts on finding joy, contentment, and fulfilment
  • Peace — The pursuit of harmony, reconciliation, and inner calm
  • Religion — Exploring belief systems, worship, and spiritual practice
  • War — Reflections on conflict, peace, and the human cost of war

More quotes by Thomas Paine

“Let them call me a rebel and welcome. I feel no concern from it. But should I suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul.”
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“Nothing, they say is more certain than death, and nothing more uncertain than the time of dying”
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“That there are men in all countries who get their living by war, and by keeping up the quarrels of Nations is as shocking as it is true...”
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“The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.”
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“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.”
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