Sunday, February 19, 2012
“Thomas Paine”
As
we have been discussing the attributes of a “Christian Nation” it has
come to my attention of late that a work of one of our Founders, namely
Thomas Paine, has been gaining some traction once again. He published a
work “The age of Reason” which either by name or simply by
philosophy under some other name, is once again infecting our society. I am not writing here to negate the contributions that Mr. Paine made to the forming of our nation. Only to point out the danger we all are subject to when it comes to leaning on our own understanding as fallen human beings. It seems we in this current age are once again trying to elevate the reasonings and intellectual powers of man above that which we deserve.
Mr. Paine in his work “Age of Reason” and other such works, attacked religion in general and Christianity specifically. It seems this attitude and reasoning is again stirring in our midst, but unlike Mr. Paine's era, it seems the nation and its leaders are largely accepting this view of humanity or at the least not confronting it vigorously.
Let's take a look at how this “Age of Reason” philosophy was dealt with by our Founders in the beginning.
Benjamin Franklin wrote to his friend Thomas Paine concerning the “Age of Reason” saying:
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 consequence 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 would be done by it? . . . think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue . . . .
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.
John Adams would write:
“The
Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or
existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue,
equity and humanity, let the Blackguard Paine say what he will.” ~ John Adams. His cousin Samuel Adams would write to Paine saying:
“When I heard you had turned you mind to a defense of infidelity, I felt myself much astonished and more grieved that you had attempted a measure so injurious to the feelings and so repugnant to the true interest of so great a part of the citizens of the United States.
The people of New England, if you will allow me to use a Scripture phrase, are fast returning to their first love. Will you excite among them the spirit of angry controversy at a time when they are hastening to amity and peace?
I am told that some of our newspapers have announced your intention to publish an additional pamphlet upon the principles of your Age of Reason. Do you think that your pen, or the pen of any other man, can dechristianize the mass of our citizens, or have you hopes of converting a few of them to assist you in so bad a cause?” ~ Samuel Adams.
Benjamin
Rush, signer of the Declaration, wrote to his friend and signer of the
Constitution John Dickinson that Paine's Age of Reason was “absurd and impious” Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration, described Paine's work as “blasphemous writings against the Christian religion”
John Witherspoon said Paine was “ignorant of human nature as well as an enemy of the Christian faith”
John Quincy Adams declared that “Mr. Paine has departed altogether from the principles of the Revolution”
Elias Boudinot, President of Congress published the “Age of Revelation” as a full length rebuttal to Paine's work.
Patrick Henry wrote a refutation of Paine's work which he described as “the puny efforts of Paine”, however, after reading Bishop Richard Watson's Apology for the Bible that had been written against Paine, Henry deemed that work sufficient and decided not to publish his reply.
Judge William Paterson, signer of the Constitution, and Justice on the United States Supreme Court spoke to the American people saying:
“Infatuated Americans, why renounce your country, your religion, and your God? Oh shame, where is thy blush? Is this the way to continue independence, and to render the 4th of July immortal in memory and song?” ~ Justice William Paterson.
Zephaniah Swift, author of America's first law book stated:
“We cannot sufficiently reprobate the beliefs of Thomas Paine in his attack on Christianity by publishing his Age of Reason. . . . He has the impudence and effrontery to address the citizens of the United States of America a paltry performance which is intended to shake their faith in the religion of their fathers. . . . No language can describe the wickedness of the man who will attempt to subvert a religion which is a source of comfort and consolation to its votaries merely for the purpose of eradicating all sentiments of religion.” ~ Zephaniah Swift.
John Jay, author of the Federalist Papers and the original Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court would reply:
“I
have long been of the opinion that the evidence of the truth of
Christianity requires only to be carefully examined to produce
conviction in candid minds, and I think they who undertake that task
will derive advantages. . . . As to The Age of Reason, it never appeared
to me to have been written from a disinterested love of truth or of
mankind.” ~ John Jay.Thomas Paine's insistence on promoting his Age of Reason caused such public opposition that he spent his last years in New York as an outcast in social ostracism. He was eventually buried in a farm field because no American cemetery would accept his remains.
As you can see, this anti-Christian sentiment that is prevailing in our society today is not something new, it even existed within our prestigious group of Founders. The difference is, that it was then rejected by both the political powers and public opinion. We find ourselves without men such as Adams, Jefferson, Jay, Henry, Swift, Rush, and so many others, as well as a people who are resilient about the faith of their fathers. This may lead us to a different place than that of which we were led by these men. America may find herself without God, without faith, without hope, other than the reasonings of men! I wonder what such a place will be like?
May God bless each of you,
David
No comments:
Post a Comment