The Age Of Reason Thomas Paine Summary

Religion played a crucial role in Paine's argument. He knew that the most of colonists had some sort of religion that he can use as a basis for his argument. One of the points that he made was that a “distinction … of men into Kings and Subjects,” is not from god, it is from the “heathens,” (Paine, 72). Paine made sure to tell the readers that this interpretation is directly from the Bible so if anyone wanted to check for themselves they can. He supported many of the things he said from the Bible so that people would not question it. He used stories of how Israel wanted a king even though god himself did not want one to voice his opposition of the leadership of monarchy. The Bible was a major source that Paine used in order to unify the people under one cause. Before this essay people did not know who to side with, the new colonies or the monarchy, who they have who they have been loyal to until this point. Now Common Sense gives them a reason to support the

Paine ends his piece by applying the use of biblical allusions, thereby allowing him to effectively appeal to the soldiers’ sense of spirituality, as this pamphlet was written at a time in which faith and the belief in God was common place. Discouraged by their recent setbacks, Paine provides a boost in the soldiers’ morale by presenting his personal opinion that, “God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish…” These uplifting words provide the opportunity for the troops to renew their faith in God and further inspire them to pursue their cause. Paine strengthens his claim by going on to say that, “I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against

Later, he makes a logical appeal by equating King George to a criminal for all that he has done, and he makes a point to ask why God would help such a man. A man who has committed many crimes against them, the colonies, his own people. These and other crimes against the colonists demanded resolution, but seeing as they had done everything they could to avoid war and still retain their liberty, Paine made it clear that war was inevitable. In the fifth paragraph, he makes a logos, or logical, appeal to convince the colonists

6. What is the view of Gideon that Paine uses as an example? "As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty" (Gideon). From this quote of Gideon, we can assume Gideon's point of views. He thinks that all men are equal and no one man can be above the rest. He also thinks that only God can rule over people.

In Section II, Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession, he incites the spirit of Americans that lives on today by talking of mankind’s “equality in the order of creation” (Paine, n.pag.). He uses biblical foundation to discredit the fallible distinction of king and subjects. He also discredits a government of mixed state and warns of the concentration of power. Paine’s building on biblical reference in relation to equality and natural rights is clearly written in the value held by the majority, and expresses his commitment to the people.

Thomas Paine made no secret for his hatred of the British monarchy. This was partially due to their absolutism beliefs, the oppression of his countrymen, and the system of government where the rich got richer and the poor get poorer. He believed that Britain would never have a balanced government so long as monarchy and hereditary succession stayed in place. When Thomas Paine immigrated to Philadelphia, several things had strong influences on his writing of Common Sense. The Intolerable acts as well as the Enlightenment Challenge influenced his writing concerning the view of parliament and British monarchy (maybe switch this sentence for the next one).After Parliament had passed The Intolerable Acts, Paine watched the continuation and control the British Monarchy and Parliament had in America, along with their unnatural behaviors and influence over government issues, the ideological changes that came from ‘The Enlightenment Challenge’. Paine believed change could and should happen; that America could find economic independence and not carry any burden of debt if they separated from Britain since their debt was actually Britain’s in the first place. Paine said that there could be no reconciliation; he understood that to become free and have liberties with an independent government there was no going back, only forward. Paine had a strong desire to see religious freedom become possible, and for people to have the right to choose and

The first point Paine makes in his pamphlet is an argument against the concept of monarchy, in his opinion a corrupt and worthless institution. Paine supported the values of equality among all human beings and for this reason he was against the Britain hereditary succession, which did not evaluate the skills and knowledge of the people who were ruling the country. Even if Paine criticized the British monarchial government, he also brought to light the form of government that he believed would have suited America: a democracy. Pain

Paine's essay presents that the government was always in God's hands. In paragraph 3 he says, 'my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction,' which means he believes that God was in charge of the govt. In paragraph 3 it also says, 'Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose that He has relinquished the govt, of the world,' what that means is he believes in no religion but believes that god has relinquished the government. Also, in paragraph 1 there is some talk about how the government is unfair, which is another thing Paine presents in his essay. Citizenship is presented as being very hard to show loyalty to Britain.

The issue of Faith versus Reason and the relationship between them has been discussed throughout civilization. A prime figure in this discussion during the recent past, the mid 18’th to the early 19’th centuries, was Thomas Paine. Paine’s writings during both the United States and French revolutions helped to spearhead the respective countries into revolution and eventually freedom. As such, Paine is certainly seen as an influential figure during this time period for practical reasons. But Paine is equally important because of the way in which he influenced entire countries and helped to bring about change. Paine’s approach to doing this shows the distinction between faith and reason as well as how the two can coexist together and

taxed without representation? Whats the worth in fighting?’ His dramatic thoughts turned into a straightforward style. This style could be agreed upon by all tired civilians—and it was. When you analyze Paine’s writings, nothing is sugar coated. He blatantly states the truth, and the reason loyalists argue with Paine is because they don't live in corrupt lifestyles, they don't see the hardships faced, such as problems with taxes, or enslavement. When you cant experience the ideal that one is preaching, how can you agree? How could you be on their side? Its simple—you cannot.

During a time of obscene oppression, Paine pointed out the natural equality of all men, and contrasted it with the monarchical institution that was exploiting the colonists, stating:

When Americans who once worshipped Paine started reading his thoughts on religion, they began to change how they felt about him. Upon his return to the United States in the 1800’s, he found that his writing “The Age of Reason” left him essentially

#1 He was saying that the revolution would be hard, but it will be worth it in the end. The British don’t have the power to tax and “enslave” them. Only God has the power to take away freedom. The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Paine is making an emotional, ethical, and logical appeal. The counter argument could be that the Americans owe the English because they were granted everything from England. It’s going to be bad if you lose. The logical fallacies are Sentimental Appeal and Faulty Analogy.

The first rationalist tenet that Thomas Paine demonstrates is that liberty and freedom are God-given inalienable rights. In The Crisis,

Though, it does seem Paine saw America through rose-colored glasses, possibly due to smoking something heavy... He did amplify his view of America and spoke highly of it. However, he nonetheless, did make a very compelling and convincing argument to the Americans in a simplified easy understandable way through his pamphlets. Common Sense educated the people on the war, and contributed to spreading the concept of republicanism to them. He also gave them a clear understanding of how separation from Britain would hold on their future.