--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whenever we read the obscene stories, the…" description: "\"Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78e/thomas-paine-267_age-of-reason_whenever-we-read-the-obscene-stories-the_3202501.jpg" --- # Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous… ![“Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness…” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78e/thomas-paine-267_age-of-reason_whenever-we-read-the-obscene-stories-the_3202501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78e/thomas-paine-267_age-of-reason_whenever-we-read-the-obscene-stories-the_3202501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78e/thomas-paine-267_age-of-reason_whenever-we-read-the-obscene-stories-the_3202501.jpg) > “Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind.” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Bible’s violent content suggests a demonic origin rather than divine; reflecting humanity’s corrupt nature. **In simple terms:** Violent biblical passages imply a dark source. Key Takeaway Question the moral source of sacred texts. Themes religion violence corruption Mood critical skeptical Type philosophical controversial When to use this quote - historical analysis - faith critique - education - literary study Key Concepts theology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What role does violence play in moral teaching? - Can sacred texts be reinterpreted? A Different Perspective Many find spiritual value despite harsh passages. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age of reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age-of-reason/) [American founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-founding-fathers/) [Anti christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anti-christian/) [Anti religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anti-religious/) [Atrocities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atrocities/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Called by god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-by-god/) [Christian atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-atheist/) [Christian god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-god/) [Christian right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-right/) [Christianity from founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity-from-founding-fathers/) [Church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-and-state/) [Debauchery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debauchery/) [Deism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deism/) [Demon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demon/) [Execution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/execution/) [Founding america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-america/) [Founding fathers atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-atheist/) [Founding fathers of america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-of-america/) [Humankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humankind/) [Jewish religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jewish-religion/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-history/) [Separation between church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-between-church-and-state/) [Separation of church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-church-and-state/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Vindictiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vindictiveness/) [Wickedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wickedness/) [Word of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-of-god/) ## Related quotes > [“Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/whenever-we-read-the-obscene-stories-the-voluptuous-debaucheries-the/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [The Bible: a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalise mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-bible-a-history-of-wickedness-that-has-served-to-corrupt-and/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [ ...It would be more consistent that we call \[the Bible\] the work of a demon than the word of God. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [In American religious history, theological qualms tend to get pushed aside when politics intervenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/in-american-religious-history-theological-qualms-tend-to-get-pushed/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) > [Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity - I admire wise men. Some of my favorite forms of history are religious history, what the sages say from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-thurman/hinduism-buddhism-judaism-christianity-i-admire-wise-men-some-of-my/) [Keith Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-thurman/) ## More by Thomas Paine > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. 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Let him believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-more-does-man-want-to-know-than-that-the-hand-or-power-that-made/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) [Explore all 772 Thomas Paine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## More Age of reason quotes > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. 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