Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The Paine of defeat
State Rep. Steve Harrelson tells me that the Tom Paine observance law may come up again before the General Assembly. Paine is the revolutionary war writer credited with first penning the words, United States of America. His pamphlet “Common Sense” used, as I recall, the phrase, “these are the times that try men’s souls.” He was very influential. Many states have set aside January 29 to remember him, although it is not an official holiday.
That movement hit a snag in the Arkansas legislature last week when Rep. Sid Rosenblaum remembered another little item by Paine titled “Age of Reason.” Well, it turns out that Paine does believe in God, but not in a God that intervenes in the affairs of men. His beliefs are a lot like Jefferson and Washington, who were also deists. It is mildly entertaining to watch the religious zealots come to grips with the truth about our founding fathers.
Thomas Paine got dis’ed by the Arkansas legislature because he is not a good Christian. That is pure nonsense. I do not look to Jefferson, Washington or Paine as religious leaders. Not even George W. Bush or Mike Beebe. They aren’t. I am wondering since when a bunch of politicians are entitled to say which religious beliefs are acceptable. Heck, they can’t figure out that motorcyclists should wear helmets.
(Broadcast February 13, 2007)
That movement hit a snag in the Arkansas legislature last week when Rep. Sid Rosenblaum remembered another little item by Paine titled “Age of Reason.” Well, it turns out that Paine does believe in God, but not in a God that intervenes in the affairs of men. His beliefs are a lot like Jefferson and Washington, who were also deists. It is mildly entertaining to watch the religious zealots come to grips with the truth about our founding fathers.
Thomas Paine got dis’ed by the Arkansas legislature because he is not a good Christian. That is pure nonsense. I do not look to Jefferson, Washington or Paine as religious leaders. Not even George W. Bush or Mike Beebe. They aren’t. I am wondering since when a bunch of politicians are entitled to say which religious beliefs are acceptable. Heck, they can’t figure out that motorcyclists should wear helmets.
(Broadcast February 13, 2007)
