Each of those churches shows certain books, which they call revelation, or the Word of God. The Jews say that their Word of God was given by God to Moses face to face; the Christians say, that their Word of God came by divine inspiration; and the Turks say, that their Word of God (the Koran) was brought by an angel from heaven. Each of those churches accuses the other of unbelief; and, for my own part, I disbelieve them all.
Thomas PaineThe trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.
Thomas PainePersecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law.
Thomas PaineIt is not because a part of the government is elective, that makes it less a despotism, if the persons so elected, possess afterwards, as a parliament, unlimited powers. Election, in this case, becomes separated from representation, and the candidates are candidates for despotism.
Thomas PaineWe can only reason from what is; we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities.
Thomas Paine