Paine Use Biblical Quotes As Window Dressing example essay topic

Common Sense, a pamphlet by Thomas Paine, could not have come at a better time. The colonists craved independence, but leaned toward reconciliation with the British. Paine stresses this theme throughout the work. The pamphlet was directed toward every colonist, including those still loyal to the Crown.

One opinion of the publication is "Paine's Common Sense was unremittingly secular in tone, making its points through a primer on eighteenth-century republican thought, using Biblical quotes merely as window-dressing. But colonists, far from secular in their leanings, interpreted the pamphlet through evangelical and democratic lenses, seeing in his work support for an egalitarian society they craved". I agree in part with this statement believing neither the work was completely secular in tone, nor did Paine use Biblical quotes as window-dressing. However, I do believe that the colonists interpreted the pamphlet using their evangelical beliefs, praying for a society that would allow them a democratic platform. Paine's views expressed in Common Sense were not secular in tone.

Paine made his views about monarchy very clear using a religious tone. "As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty... expressly disapproves of government by kings. (Paine 72) " Paine was careful not to express his own religious views, but also did not mention the way that other religions looked at monarchy. This was unnecessary since the colonists were mainly of the same religion. Paine used Biblical quotes effectively in this pamphlet, not as "window dressing". It was clear that Paine knew what he was talking about because his quotes from the Bible were on target and related to his subject.

Although Paine uses them many times, the main section of Biblical quotes was related to Jewish people. Paine's example of the evils of monarchy was a mistake made by Jewish influence. The Jews were desperate for a King because they were afraid that they could not protect themselves without a ruler. In the Old Testament, they first asked Gideon and he denied the request, saying that the Lord shall rule over them. Years later, having forgotten Gideon's reply, they asked Samuel to deliver a King. When Samuel asked the Lord, He told Samuel that the Jews had rejected him.

The Lord sent thunder and rain to punish them and the Jews knew that they had sinned. "We have added unto our sins this evil, to ask a King (Paine 76)". This story, taken from the Bible, was used to portray the Lord's view of any ruler above Him. The colonists interpreted the pamphlet through evangelical views. As soon as Paine started talking about the Bible, Evangelists started listening. They believed what Paine said because he used scripture to back it up.

The Evangelists were against war but they supported the cause of independence. One religious group that did not agree with Paine was the Quakers. They responded to Common Sense by saying "the setting up and putting down kings and governments, is God's peculiar prerogative; for causes best known to himself... that we may live a peaceable and quiet life, in all goodliness and honesty; under the government which God is pleased to set over us (Paine 126)". Paine responded with "The principles of Quakerism have a direct tendency to make a man the quite and inoffensive subject of any, and every government which is set over him. (Paine 126) " To the Quakers's tate ments, Paine used effective arguments of his own. Colonists applauded him because he was able to back up his work.

The Colonists interpreted the pamphlet through democratic views as well. When the Colonists read this work, they were motivated to help their countrymen. Some were motivated to change their views toward England and Independence. Paine wrote that there were three ways that an Independency could be had: "By the legal voice of the people in Congress; by a military power; or by a mob (Paine 120)".

Even though Paine proposed Republic methods for government, the Colonists saw this as democratic, in which they, as individuals, have the power. Paine gave an example of people separated from others on Earth. He showed that eventually they would have to come up with some sort of a government. The government proposed in this example is similar to what Paine suggested for America. He said to let each colony be divided into districts, have delegates represent each district, and to elect a President. Then, he suggested, have a Continental Conference to make the laws and eventually a Charter (Paine 96-97).

As we see now, the Colonists came up with a system of government very similar to Paine's. Thomas Paine was born an Englishman, but opposed all forms of British rule. He did not want America to reconcile with England, even for the protection they could offer. Paine wanted total Independence and he strongly urged every American to fight for it.

Common Sense reflected this and effected Americans because of its Biblical examples, republican thoughts, and egalitarian nature. This pamphlet may be one of the main reasons America is a free country today. Paine's thoughts on society versus government are still applicable in the twenty-first century. Every American citizen should be urged to read it so they understand the critical thinking which led to the beginnings of our country.

Bibliography

Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. Penguin Classics, Harmondsworth, 1986.