The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine

A podcast by Loyal Books

Categories:

Arts News & Politics Society & Culture

32 Episodes

  1. 00 – Part First, Introduction

    Published: 1/2/2024

  2. 02 – Part First, Section 2

    Published: 1/1/2024

  3. 04 – Part First, Section 4

    Published: 12/31/2023

  4. 05 – Part First, Section 5

    Published: 12/30/2023

  5. 06 – Part First, Section 6

    Published: 12/29/2023

  6. 07 – Part First, Section 7

    Published: 12/28/2023

  7. 08 – Part First, Section 8

    Published: 12/27/2023

  8. 10 – Part First, Section 10

    Published: 12/26/2023

  9. 11 – Part First, Section 11

    Published: 12/25/2023

  10. 12 – Part First, Section 12

    Published: 12/24/2023

  11. 13 – Part First, Section 13

    Published: 12/23/2023

  12. 14 – Part First, Section 14

    Published: 12/22/2023

  13. 15 – Part First, Section 15

    Published: 12/21/2023

  14. 17 – Part Second, Sections 1 & 2

    Published: 12/20/2023

  15. 18 – Part Second, Section 3

    Published: 12/19/2023

  16. 19 – Part Second, Section 4

    Published: 12/18/2023

  17. 20 – Part Second, Section 5

    Published: 12/17/2023

  18. 21 – Part Second, Section 6

    Published: 12/16/2023

  19. 22 – Part Second, Section 7

    Published: 12/15/2023

  20. 23 – Part Second, Section 8

    Published: 12/14/2023

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A Universalist book, The Age of Reason advocates for the existence of natural religion and challenges the structure of all organized religion. First written and distributed as pamphlets, the book was later published into two parts. Paine puts forward his personal beliefs, debating reason and revelation, while analyzing the Bible and the influence organized religion has on society. Exploring topics including natural religion, criticism of corrupt religious institutions, and distinction between rationality and blind faith in the supernatural, the book presents a guide for the conscious and free spiritual thinkers. Following the style and influence of the Enlightenment ideals of logic and reason, the first part of the book focuses on the Paine’s personal creeds about God and the established religion which he believes is manipulated by organized religious institutions. He further goes on to exemplify his critical view of established religion by illustrating the inconsistencies in the Christian Bible, while examining both miracle and prophecy. He questions the legitimacy of the Bible as an accurate account of Christian beliefs and classifies it to be a word of man and not of God. Paine uses the book to outline his analytical objections to theism and as a means to support his belief in deism. Distinctive for its clear and straightforward linguistic style, Paine’s political language was aimed to bring politics to a mass audience, not just the educated population. Incorporating rhetorical questions and repetition throughout the piece, Paine encourages the audience to independently complete the views and arguments he presents rather than impose his creeds upon them. The Age of Reason supports the idea that in order to discover the true grandeur of God, one should worship individually and without dictation from society. A compelling, meticulous and notable critique, Paine’s work is marked as a theological eye-opener and an insight into deism, whilst also regarded as a pervasive influence even in present secular society.