Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the bible is filled, it would seem more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the Word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind.
Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809)
2007-06-15 07:22:02 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sounds about right to me. And just think, he had no idea that the worst was yet to come.
2007-06-15 07:25:00 · answer #1 · answered by God 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Nope . . . not right.
Thomas Paine was looking at the Bible with blinkered eyes.
What he should have seen was an honest representation of mankind's faults and shortcomings, a true account of the deeds and misdeeds of those who had gone before . . . but then interlaced with a clear and unequivocal set of moral and ethical rules for Mankind to follow in order to rise above the level of the pagan civilizations of the time.
While the human race hasn't progressed one iota morally or ethically over the past 4000 years (as witness the state of the world today), the injunctions laid down by God are as valid and applicable in every case today as they were over four millenia ago.
Thomas Paine was a pretty jaded guy by the time he wrote those words. He had given up on humanity.
It's up to those of us who still strive to fulfill the Divine Will to carry on against all the odds and continue our work to make the world a better place . . . . one good deed at a time.
2007-06-15 14:44:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I know only that Thomas Paine was a vociferous Deist and a great American patriot. Since I am an unrepentant atheist, I agree with the quotation wholeheartedly.
2007-06-15 14:35:40 · answer #3 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Thomas Paine was a very bright guy.
I always love it when people (Christians) try to proclaim our founding fathers were Christian and this country is founded on "Christian values". Paine wasn't the only founding father who had a great disdain for Christianity.
2007-06-15 14:29:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That would apply to a lot of the Old Testament for sure.
2007-06-15 14:25:14 · answer #5 · answered by Sean 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
everyone has a right to their opinion. I may not totally agree with what Mr. Paine says but will defend with my life his right to say it.
2007-06-15 14:39:01 · answer #6 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of it is not the word of God.
2007-06-15 14:28:18 · answer #7 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was really smart. This just proves it. LOL The US govt is set up mostly on his writing. Doesn't sound to Christian to me.
2007-06-15 14:25:45 · answer #8 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds close.
2007-06-15 14:27:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he was right
2007-06-15 14:26:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋