For its time, The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine was a controversial piece of writing. Its use of deistic ideas that were presented to the masses created stir among even the most pronounced Christian believers. The use of language and scientific reasoning presented his ideas in a way that made this piece of work a large success.
Though the pamphlet was intended to show Thomas Paine’s views upon religion, many Christians became angry at this piece of work for insulting their religion. One of whom was a Bishop by the name of Richard Watson who wrote a response to The Age of Reason called An Apology for the Bible. In this he attacks Paine by saying that “you have attempted to lessen the authority of the Bible by ridicule, more than by reason”. With replies of disgust but also many of praise to his writing, it is a wonder what these mixed reviews did to the man that wrote The Age of Reason.
By the time Thomas Paine returned to the United States in 1802, he was, for the most part, not seen in a good light. His so-called ‘attack’ on Christianity outraged the nation and, as Jay E. Smith puts it, “his name grew synonymous with treachery and infidelity”. He was socially ostracized, in poor health, denied the right to vote, and even an attempt on his life was made. By the time he passed away in 1809 at the age of 72, he was alienated from mainstream America with only six people attending his funeral. It is sad that a man of such intelligence and influence can die forgotten and ostracized because of writing about his beliefs.
Though the pamphlet was intended to show Thomas Paine’s views upon religion, many Christians became angry at this piece of work for insulting their religion. One of whom was a Bishop by the name of Richard Watson who wrote a response to The Age of Reason called An Apology for the Bible. In this he attacks Paine by saying that “you have attempted to lessen the authority of the Bible by ridicule, more than by reason”. With replies of disgust but also many of praise to his writing, it is a wonder what these mixed reviews did to the man that wrote The Age of Reason.
By the time Thomas Paine returned to the United States in 1802, he was, for the most part, not seen in a good light. His so-called ‘attack’ on Christianity outraged the nation and, as Jay E. Smith puts it, “his name grew synonymous with treachery and infidelity”. He was socially ostracized, in poor health, denied the right to vote, and even an attempt on his life was made. By the time he passed away in 1809 at the age of 72, he was alienated from mainstream America with only six people attending his funeral. It is sad that a man of such intelligence and influence can die forgotten and ostracized because of writing about his beliefs.
Works Cited:
Smith, Jay E. "THOMAS PAINE AND THE AGE OF REASON'S ATTACK ON THE BIBLE." Historian 58.4 (1996): 745. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 13 Oct. 2009.
"Thomas Paine." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 13 Oct. 2009. Web.
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