Paine on national churches 5 Apr 2010 All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. [Thomas Paine; Writings of Thomas Paine, volume 4, Age of Reason, chapter 1] This is sometimes misquoted as “All churches are human inventions…” Politics Quotes Religion Quotes
Creationism and Intelligent Design Roundup – not just for weeds! 13 Sep 2008 Here is a roundup of links and stuff that I don’t have time to blog on right now. A. C. Grayling replies in a piece of beautiful snark to Steve Fuller’s response to his review of Dissent over Descent. Thony is not permitted to point out any further historical inaccuracies…… Read More
Genetics An old question: genes and responsibility 1 Nov 2009 Here’s a judge doing what generations of philosophers and theologians haven’t been able to do: determine when determination is determinative: In the report, [scientists] Pietrini and Sartori concluded that Bayout’s genes would make him more prone to behaving violently if provoked. “There’s increasing evidence that some genes together with a… Read More
Censorship The road to hell 29 Dec 200818 Sep 2017 In the final chapter of Terry Pratchett’s Eric, the wizard Rincewind and the boy Eric are climbing out of hell on steep steps. He looked down at the broad steps they were climbing. They were something of a novelty; each one was built out of large stone letters. The one… Read More
I think the key word in this passage is “institutions”. Note Paine leaves out the word religion entirely in this context.