Robert T. Lundy

['From Nostradamus to Alan Greenspan' (poem in 'Analog' July/August 2012)]

Logic and reason 

Are never in season.

Attention is grabbed by confusion and fear.

Thomas Paine

[Age of Reason and the 'Introduction' by Philip Foner]

About Paine (per Foner):

Anti-slavery writings starting in 1775.

With Ben Franklin, co-authored the Pennsylvania constitution, "by far the most advanced state constitution adopted during the American revolution." (included universal [male] suffrage, democratic representation, religious freedom)

Later defended attacks on the Pennsylvania constitution's "cardinal sin of allowing the common people according to their number a voice in their government."

In the Pennsylvania legislature in 1780, wrote the "first legislative measure passed in America for the emancipation of slaves."

Helped found the Bank of Pennsylvania.

Aided the French revolution — advised on the constitution and the Declaration of the Rights of Man, wrote Rights of Man to answer critics.

Advocated public education, welfare, pensions, funeral expenses, progressive income tax, property tax, treaties, reduction of the military (esp. the navy).

Became convinced that to preserve republican principles, it was necessary to destroy the priesthood.

Was a Deist, not an atheist.

Introduced the concept of a guaranteed minimum income through a one-time inheritance tax on landowners.

 - - - - - - - Paine quotes from Foner's Introduction - - - - - - 

[Paine himself said he went] marching through the Christian forest with an axe.

I seldom passed five minutes ... in which I did not acquire some knowledge.

Why is it that scarcely any are executed but the poor?

Primogeniture [is] unnatural and unjust and a great waste of national wealth.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [from Age of Reason] - - - - - - - - - 

The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.

I do not believe in the creed ... [of] any church ... My own mind is my own church.

A revolution in the system of government would be followed by a revolution in the system of religion.

Organized religion was set up to terrify and enslave mankind and monopolize power and profit.

Every church accuses other churches of unbelief. I disbelieve them all.

[T]he Church has set up a religion of pomp and of revenue, in pretended imitation of a person whose life was humility and poverty.

[A]ll my opponents resort to ... Scripture evidence and Bible authority.... [They] have agreed in nothing but that Paine understands [the Bible] not.