"These are the times that try men's souls."
Paine's eloquence in combating the forces of tyranny is legendary, but among his favorite targets was organized religion.
"All national institutions of churches, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, in order to monopolize power and profit."
Of course, men whose minds are free seldom meet with the favor of their peers, and by the end of his life, he had few friends to mourn him. Perhaps because he was willing to pay that price, he was truly great.
"I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy."
