Philosophy Political Science Criticism of Religion Advocacy for Deism Human Rights The Enlightenment
The Age of Reason is a religious-philosophical treatise written by Thomas Paine and first published in 1794. Paine argues for Deism and later expanded the work in additional parts.
With brisk, plainspoken prose, Paine mounts a defense of reason over revelation. He questions biblical authority, challenges miracles as violations of natural law, and urges readers to examine tradition with independent judgment and evidence. For Paine, creation itself is the true scripture, and conscience should not be outsourced to priest or crown.
Beyond its critiques, the book champions freedom of conscience and a moral life grounded in the observable world. Paine invites ordinary readers to test claims, weigh contradictions, and separate faith from fear, superstition, and political control.
Endlessly controversial and still invigorating, The Age of Reason remains a bold call to think for yourself—a clear, combative, accessible guide for anyone curious about belief, doubt, and the uses of reason.
"It has been my intention, for several years past, to publish my thoughts upon religion; I am well aware of the difficulties that attend the subject, and from that consideration, had reserved it to a more advanced period of life. I intended it to be the last offering I should make to my fellow-citizens of all nations, and that at a time when the purity of the motive that induced me to it could not admit of a question, even by those who might disapprove the work."
#31 in Philosophy (this month)
#27 in Religion and Spirituality (this month)
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The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading The Age of Reason in PDF or ePub.
Paine defends free inquiry and questions religious authority with plain fire. It is less a demolition than an invitation to think for yourself—carefully.
Civic discourse needs skeptics who can argue without contempt. These pages practice clarity, evidence, and the courage to separate tradition from truth.
Inquiry is an act of hope.
Belief should bear testing.
Ideas, not fog, persuade.
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Plain style arguments for liberty, rights, and civic courage that still cut through noise.
We have 3 books by Thomas Paine in the AliceAndBooks library