Thomas Paine, Catholics, The American Right Wing, and Religious Establishment

"Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly-marked feature of all law-religions, or religions established by law. Take away the law-establishment, and every religion re-assumes its original benignity. In America, a catholic priest is a good citizen, a good character, and a good neighbour; an episcopalian minister is of the same description: and this proceeds independently of the men, from there being no law-establishment in America."

Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, part I.

Thomas Paine replies to Bob Basso

 Actor Ian Ruskin does a magnificent job of replying to the gas-bag Basso who hasn't the foggiest notion of Thomas Paine or his ideas. Don't miss this and share it with your friends. The Thomas Paine Review heartily endorses Mr. Ruskin's work:

Thomas Paine Monument in New Rochelle, New York.

Here's a nice older image of the monument taken not long after the bust of Paine by American sculptor Wilson McDonald was added. All in all, the author of this blog believes the addition an enormous mistake. The bust is fine on its own and deserves a good exhibition location ... but the monument should have been left as Paine's followers intended ... a simple, classic marble column ... to commemorate the original resting place of America's greatest revolutionary.

What happened when General Grant expelled the Jews

 A little change of historical pace for this blog, but far too good a piece of history to pass up:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/21/what-happened-when-general-grant-expelled-civil-war-jews.html

My hero: Thomas Paine

 Lovely, brief essay by author Sue Townsend:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/02/my-hero-thomas-paine-sue-townsend?newsfeed=true

Thomas Paine on extrajudicial killings:

‎"An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."
 -- Thomas Paine, Dissertation on First Principles of Government (July 7, 1795)

Thomas Paine on extra-judicial killing. 

Thomas Paine not forgotten -- Harvey J. Kaye

 Fine article in review of the speech by Thomas Paine friend and friend of this blog, Prof. Harvey J. Kaye. Pleased to see that Kaye agrees -- Paine's reputation waxes strong and undimmed:

http://democratherald.com/news/local/speaker-emphasizes-thomas-paine-s-influence/article_ea3a65fc-5cde-11e1-aa1f-0019bb2963f4.html