The Black Sheep: Thomas Paine
Not to be confused with Robert Treat Paine, Thomas Paine did not sign either document, but he is non-the-less considered to be one of the Founding Fathers of our nation, and indeed he did much to rationalize the Revolution in the minds of the American people.
An immigrant from Great Britain in 1774, Thomas Paine quickly became involved in utilization of the discontent of the colonies to build up the revolution that was beginning to be whispered about. By 1775 he was editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine and in 1776 he published his most famous pamphlet, originally entitled Plain Truth, now known as Common Sense. This pamphlet is, arguably, the only reason that Thomas Paine is considered a founding father to this day. Why? Because Common Sense gave reasons why America should revolt against Great Britain, not merely economic reasons, but biblical reasons. It attacked the idea of the right of kings and rationalized war in the minds of many in America.
It was the best seller of the time, and had great impact, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.” ~John Adams
Many Founding Fathers saw themselves indebted to Thomas Paine for his great work. And Paine found many friends among the founders. But I will say that Thomas Paine’s story has a sad ending. A great fall from grace.
For although he utilized the Bible to help spur the Americans to Revolution, Thomas Paine played to his audience, and not until the French Revolution do many of the Founding Fathers see his true character.
Thomas Paine left America after the successful revolution there to help the French revolution. He wrote a pamphlet entitled the Age of Reason, in which he rationalized the French Revolution. The French Revolution was a godless, atheistic revolution, and Thomas Paine’s pamphlet was no different. In it he attacked organized religion, specifically Christianity.
Benjamin Franklin, one of Paine’s longest friends, read the manuscript and this is what Franklin said of it.
“I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear his displeasure, or to pray for his protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion that... the consequences of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits into the wind, spits in his own face. But were you to succeed, do you imagine any good will be done by it?.... I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person... If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it. I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship.” ~Benjamin Franklin.
Paine did not take Franklin’s advice, he printed it, made many enemies, then when Paine was imprisoned by the French Revolution, the same group he was trying to help, Paine wrote back to his friends in America; Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, etc. for help. No one answered his call for help. Not a finger was lifted to help Thomas Paine, the once Founding Father, now disowned by those he had once helped and then miffed.
Paine was released after a regime change, with the help of James Madison, and eventually returned to America at the behest of Thomas Jefferson. He had ostracized himself, but still the Founders found pity for him. Only six people would stand at his funeral. Such was the man who helped our nation, but turned his back on the Providence (God) of whom the nation stood upon. The Father who fell from grace.
Jared Williams
An immigrant from Great Britain in 1774, Thomas Paine quickly became involved in utilization of the discontent of the colonies to build up the revolution that was beginning to be whispered about. By 1775 he was editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine and in 1776 he published his most famous pamphlet, originally entitled Plain Truth, now known as Common Sense. This pamphlet is, arguably, the only reason that Thomas Paine is considered a founding father to this day. Why? Because Common Sense gave reasons why America should revolt against Great Britain, not merely economic reasons, but biblical reasons. It attacked the idea of the right of kings and rationalized war in the minds of many in America.
It was the best seller of the time, and had great impact, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.” ~John Adams
Many Founding Fathers saw themselves indebted to Thomas Paine for his great work. And Paine found many friends among the founders. But I will say that Thomas Paine’s story has a sad ending. A great fall from grace.
For although he utilized the Bible to help spur the Americans to Revolution, Thomas Paine played to his audience, and not until the French Revolution do many of the Founding Fathers see his true character.
Thomas Paine left America after the successful revolution there to help the French revolution. He wrote a pamphlet entitled the Age of Reason, in which he rationalized the French Revolution. The French Revolution was a godless, atheistic revolution, and Thomas Paine’s pamphlet was no different. In it he attacked organized religion, specifically Christianity.
Benjamin Franklin, one of Paine’s longest friends, read the manuscript and this is what Franklin said of it.
“I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear his displeasure, or to pray for his protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion that... the consequences of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits into the wind, spits in his own face. But were you to succeed, do you imagine any good will be done by it?.... I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person... If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it. I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship.” ~Benjamin Franklin.
Paine did not take Franklin’s advice, he printed it, made many enemies, then when Paine was imprisoned by the French Revolution, the same group he was trying to help, Paine wrote back to his friends in America; Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, etc. for help. No one answered his call for help. Not a finger was lifted to help Thomas Paine, the once Founding Father, now disowned by those he had once helped and then miffed.
Paine was released after a regime change, with the help of James Madison, and eventually returned to America at the behest of Thomas Jefferson. He had ostracized himself, but still the Founders found pity for him. Only six people would stand at his funeral. Such was the man who helped our nation, but turned his back on the Providence (God) of whom the nation stood upon. The Father who fell from grace.
Jared Williams
