Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

from "Common Sense. On the origin and Design of Government in General"
  1. What are the main differences between society and government?
  2. In what ways is government "evil" and "intolerable"?
  3. Why is there a need for government (paragraphs 2 and 3)?
  4. Why did the American colonists need government after they came to America?
  5. Why should elections be conducted often?
from "The Age of Reason. The Author's profession of Faith"
  1. What do religious duties consist of?
  2. Why does Paine not believe in the creed professed by the various churches?
  3. What do you think he means when he says "My own mind is my own church."?
  4. What specifically is his view of "All national institutions of churches"?
  5. What is his meaning of "infidelity" in religion?
  6. Why was the revolution in the system of government not followed by a revolution in the system of religion, according to Paine, and when might that happen?