All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.

Quote by Thomas Paine

Topics: Thomas Paine Quotes

War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen circumstances that no human wisdom...

War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen circumstances that no human wisdom...

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem...

The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem...

These are times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,...

These are times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,...

It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.

It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.

We ought therefore to suspect that a great mass of information respecting the Bible, and...

We ought therefore to suspect that a great mass of information respecting the Bible, and...

For my own part, my belief in the perfection of the Deity will not permit...

For my own part, my belief in the perfection of the Deity will not permit...

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state,...

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state,...

But there is not a passage in the Old Testament that speaks of a person,...

But there is not a passage in the Old Testament that speaks of a person,...

The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place,...

The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place,...

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.

Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness

Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that...

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that...

Is it a fact that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, and...

Is it a fact that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, and...

And this manner of speaking of the Almighty, as one would speak of a man,...

And this manner of speaking of the Almighty, as one would speak of a man,...

If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.

If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.

The study of theology, as it stands in the Christian churches, is the study of...

The study of theology, as it stands in the Christian churches, is the study of...

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to...

Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to...

What has 'theology' ever said that is of the smallest use to anybody? When has...

What has 'theology' ever said that is of the smallest use to anybody? When has...