“As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith.” Thomas Paine
“It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same.” Thomas Paine
Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly-marked feature of all law-religions, or religions established by law. Thomas Paine
“I believe in one God and no more, and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy.” Thomas Paine
“Any system of religion that has any thing in it that shocks the mind of a child cannot be a true system.” Thomas Paine
“When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.” Thomas Paine
