[PAR] [TLE] The Age of Reason [SEP] The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology is a work by English and American political activist Thomas Paine, arguing for the philosophical position of Deism.  It follows in the tradition of eighteenth-century British deism, and challenges institutionalized religion and the legitimacy of the Bible.  It was published in three parts in 1794, 1795, and 1807.  It was a best-seller in the United States, where it caused a short-lived deistic revival.  British audiences, however, fearing increased political radicalism as a result of the French Revolution, received it with more hostility.  "The Age of Reason" presents common deistic arguments; for example, it highlights what Paine saw as corruption of the Christian Church and criticizes its efforts to acquire political power.  Paine advocates reason in the place of revelation, leading him to reject miracles and to view the Bible as "an ordinary piece of literature rather than as a divinely inspired text".  It promotes natural religion and argues for the existence of a creator-God. [PAR] [TLE] Joseph L. Lewis [SEP] Joseph Lewis (June 11, 1889 – November 4, 1968) was an American freethinker and atheist activist, publisher, and litigator.  During the mid-twentieth century, he was one of America’s most conspicuous public atheists, the other being Emanuel Haldeman-Julius.  Born in Montgomery, Alabama to a Jewish family, he was forced by poverty to leave school at the age of nine to find employment.  He read avidly, becoming self-educated.  Lewis developed his ideas from reading, among others, Robert G. Ingersoll, whose published works made him aware of Thomas Paine.  He later credited Paine's "The Age of Reason" with helping him leave theism.
[PAR] [TLE] The Age of Reason [ SEP ] The Age of Reason ; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology is a work by English and American political activist Thomas Paine , arguing for the philosophical position of Deism . It follows in the tradition of eighteenth - century British deism , and challenges institutionalized religion and the legitimacy of the Bible . It was published in three parts in 1794 , 1795 , and 1807 . It was a best - seller in the United States , where it caused a short - lived deistic revival . British audiences , however , fearing increased political radicalism as a result of the French Revolution , received it with more hostility . " The Age of Reason " presents common deistic arguments ; for example , it highlights what Paine saw as corruption of the Christian Church and criticizes its efforts to acquire political power . Paine advocates reason in the place of revelation , leading him to reject miracles and to view the Bible as " an ordinary piece of literature rather than as a divinely inspired text " . It promotes natural religion and argues for the existence of a creator - God . [PAR] [TLE] Joseph L. Lewis [ SEP ] Joseph Lewis ( June 11 , 1889 – November 4 , 1968 ) was an American freethinker and atheist activist , publisher , and litigator . During the mid - twentieth century , he was one of America ’s most conspicuous public atheists , the other being Emanuel Haldeman - Julius . Born in Montgomery , Alabama to a Jewish family , he was forced by poverty to leave school at the age of nine to find employment . He read avidly , becoming self - educated . Lewis developed his ideas from reading , among others , Robert G. Ingersoll , whose published works made him aware of Thomas Paine . He later credited Paine 's " The Age of Reason " with helping him leave theism .
Joseph L. Lewis (June 11, 1889 – November 4, 1968) was an American freethinker and atheist activist, publisher, and litigator, he later credited Paine's "The Age of Reason" with helping him leave theism, the Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology is a work by English and American political activist Thomas Paine, arguing for the philosophical position of what?
Joseph L. Lewis ( June 11 , 1889 – November 4 , 1968 ) was an American freethinker and atheist activist , publisher , and litigator , he later credited Paine 's " The Age of Reason " with helping him leave theism , the Age of Reason ; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology is a work by English and American political activist Thomas Paine , arguing for the philosophical position of what ?
Deism
Deism