The Age of Reason · Chapter
XIII: Comparison of Christianism with the Religious Ideas Inspired by Nature explained
Paine contrasts the Christian system with the evidence of nature and the universe, recounting his early doubts about Christian doctrine, his education in science, and his argument for a plurality of worlds.
What happens
Paine contrasts the Christian system with the evidence of nature and the universe, recounting his early doubts about Christian doctrine, his education in science, and his argument for a plurality of worlds. He criticizes Christian mythology, especially the story of redemption, and advocates for Deism as a pure and simple faith based on contemplation of the Creator's works.
Themes in this chapter
Deism and Natural Theology
Paine contrasts the pure and simple profession of Deism with Christian mythology, emphasizing contemplation of the Deity in his works.
Critique of Organized Religion
Paine criticizes the Christian story of redemption as shocking to a child and argues that any system of religion that shocks a child cannot be true.
Science vs. Superstition
Paine uses his knowledge of globes, orrery, and natural philosophy to confront the Christian system with the evidence of the universe.
Reason vs. Revelation
Paine relies on reason and observation of nature to challenge revealed Christian doctrines.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Author and narrator; recounts his Quaker upbringing, early doubts about Christianity, and his turn to science and Deism.
- Jesus Christ
Referenced in the context of the Christian story of redemption by the death of the Son of God.
- Eve
Mentioned in the Mosaic account of creation and the story of the apple.
- Moses
Referenced in the Mosaic account of creation.
Key passages
“I either doubted the truth of the Christian system, or thought it to be a strange affair; I scarcely knew which it was: but I well remember, when about seven or eight years of age, hearing a sermon read by a relation of mine, who was a great devotee of the church, upon the subject of what is called 'Redemption by the death of the Son of God.'”
Paine recalls that from a young age he doubted Christianity, especially after hearing a sermon on redemption at age seven or eight.
Paine's early skepticism about Christian doctrine.
“The true deist has but one Deity; and his religion consists in contemplating the power, wisdom, and benignity of the Deity in his works, and in endeavouring to imitate him in everything moral, scientifical, and mechanical.”
A true deist worships one God by studying nature and striving to emulate God's moral and scientific attributes.
Paine's definition of Deism.
“The two beliefs can not be held together in the same mind; and he who thinks that he believes both, has thought but little of either.”
Belief in a plurality of worlds is incompatible with the Christian system; anyone claiming to hold both has not deeply considered either.
Paine argues that Christianity and a scientific view of the universe are mutually exclusive.