(Originally written September 8, 2005 in Book 2)
Why I am not a Christian
Bertrand Russell
1957
The Fate of Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine preached democracy democratically.
Born of poor Quaker parents.
He was a revolutionist.
Wrote against slavery in America in 1775.
Paine was, one of the, if not the first advocate for a totally free America.
Paine took up the torch for the freedom from every tyranny in America: monarch, aristocracy and slavery.
Thomas Paine inspired courage and resolve in America during the revolution and helped it to victory. He acquired fame for his revolution ideals in France and he helped start the more democratic dealings in England.
Paine's reward was being stripped of money, fame, friends and dignity. He was wanted to be hanged in England, tolerated but unneeded in Napoleonic France and politely disregarded in America.
Paine's single mindedness and intolerance for cruelty of any kind is what makes him admirable. He has had a profound effect and his views are generally accepted nowadays.
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