Assassin Quote by Thomas Paine
““There are matters in that book, said to be done by the express command of God, that are as shocking to humanity, and to every idea we have of moral justice, as any thing done by Robespierre, by Carrier, by Joseph le Bon, in France, by the English government in the East Indies, or by any other assassin in modern times. When we read in the books ascribed to Moses, Joshua, etc., that they (the Israelites) came by stealth upon whole nations of people, who, as the history itself shews, had given them no offence; that they put all those nations to the sword; that they spared neither age nor infancy; that they utterly destroyed men, women and children; that they left not a soul to breathe; expressions that are repeated over and over again in those books, and that too with exulting ferocity; are we sure these things are facts? are we sure that the Creator of man commissioned those things to be done? Are we sure that the books that tell us so were written by his authority?””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Common Sense, 1776
The moral atrocities described in religious texts raise doubts about divine authority and challenge conventional ideas of justice.
In simple terms: Biblical violence conflicts with modern moral standards.
Key Takeaway
Question authority of ancient moral claims.
Themes
morality
religion
history
justice
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- debates on religious influence
- education curricula
- policy making
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
historical criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you accept moral teachings without scrutiny?
- How should societies reconcile historical religious narratives with modern values?
A Different Perspective
Ancient texts may reflect cultural contexts, not universal ethics.
