what do you think of this paragraph regarding Christianity?

Question

It is curious to observe how the theory of what is called the Christian Church, sprung out of the tail of the heathen mythology. A direct incorporation took place in the first instance, by making the reputed founder to be celestially begotten. The trinity of gods that then followed was no other than a reduction of the former plurality, which was about twenty or thirty thousand. The statue of Mary succeeded the statue of Diana of Ephesus. The deification of heroes changed into the canonization of saints. The Mythologists had gods for everything; the Christian Mythologists had saints for everything. The church became as crowded with the one, as the pantheon had been with the other; and Rome was the place of both. The Christian theory is little else than the idolatry of the ancient mythologists, accommodated to the purposes of power and revenue; and it yet remains to reason and philosophy to abolish the amphibious fraud.

Thomas Paine: The Age of reason

First off I am not an athiest But I am open to different perspectives. Unlike a lot of people who follow a religion or belief structure blindly, proudly or however they choose I choose to compare and learn about them all and to study their effects on the current worlds affairs...by looking into their past.

I believe it would do believers of all religions to learn about all religions and their relation to each other and not from the point of view of searching for material in which to build a sanctimonius pulpit upon.

Answer 1

I was aware of it.

Thomas Paine rocks!

Answer 2

What I think is that Mr. Paine was a student of history and mythology, just from reading that paragraph. This is exactly what took place.
I laugh when I see answers like "this describes Roman Catholicism and not Christianity" because Protestants are simply the children of the Catholic church.

Answer 3

I think it's an accurate description of how true Christianity was apostatized by the Roman Catholic Church. True Christianity, as established by Jesus, should reject pagan influence, such as the veneration of Mary and the saints, observance of pagan "holy days," and the worship of a trinity.

Answer 4

It draws some interesting parallels and if true, could explain a few things I have wondered about.

The author is also entirely too fond of the sound of his own voice. I can be a little high-handed sometimes but if I ever get THAT pretentious, feel free to point it out.

Answer 5

It sounded like pure Deism to me and when I got to the end I discovered I was right. Thomas Paine was one of many famous American patriots who were Deists.

Deism was what intellectuals believed before "On the Origin of Species" and Big Bang physics illustrated that God was not a necessary component of physical reality.

Answer 6

This question is so easy to answer because it is the same answer I give over and over and over. Man, not God made religion and that includes Christianity as we know it today. I am a very strong believer in God my creator and I even believe in Jesus because history tells me what is written about him (other than the virgin birth) is an accurate description of what happened. But all the mumbo jumbo of what man has interpreted God's wishes to be are nonsense. God hears our prayers and God will answer if you are willing to listen. He tells me what he wants ME to do. I can't go around telling everyone else what THEY need to do other than to pray and listen.

Answer 7

Totally true. A lot of Christian traditions come from the pagans. The christmas tree for example(concidering that the bible states that you are not to adorn green trees). Even most of the holidays coincide with the pagan Sabatts.

Answer 8

I think it's a fitting definition. He hits all the major points. What will be the major kick in the head is when some people here read this and realize that this is one of the writings of one of our Founding Fathers in America...... the people, some within Christianity, swear were all devout Christians.

Answer 9

in accordance on your request, I received't quote you scripture, yet i visit quote you Ghandi. "i could change right into a Christian if it were no longer for Christians." Being of Hindu perception, Ghandi examine the bible as a promise to a chum. He then became astounded and moved by technique of Jesus' celebration and extraordinarily the sermon on the mount. Jesus never taught his followers to ridicule those that did not believe as he did. maximum Christians you observe in the present day do no longer really follow the training of Christ. in reality, maximum Christian religions do no longer follow the training of Christ or the bible as an complete. for instance: Why do non secular leaders bless troops and help conflict? The bible never says to interact in warfare or help the powers that be. It says to love your neighbor and love your enemy. How can we do this if we try against with one yet another? did not God say that vengeance became His? I have many extra examples of ways maximum Christian religions do no longer follow the training of the bible, yet i'm efficient that i receives flamed if I proceed :-/ besides, i in my opinion have discovered many solid issues about the training interior the bible and a set of Christians that easily prepare what they pontificate. in reality, the employer I belong to is 7 million solid, thoroughly supported by technique of volunteers (homes, literature, no paid "preachers", no sequence plates, etc). i'm easily one of Jehovah's Witnesses. right here comes the thumbs down :-)

Answer 10

This is what you believe so that is your view. You are not going to change Christians in their faith in God. Folks have tried to stamp out Christianity since it began, so your little blip on Yahoo will not change the world.

Answer 11

Mr. Paine was well ahead of his times. Thats what I think. The Age of Reason is finally upon us - but still, there are holdouts in the world...