It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes. – Thomas Paine
He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third. – Thomas Paine
The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance. – Thomas Paine
A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue but moderation in principle is always a vice. – Thomas Paine
I think every religious person should have a deep sense of respect for other peoples religious documents and religious symbols just as we were deeply opposed to the Taliban destroying the two historic buddhas which they blew up. So I think we ought to all oppose burning the Koran. – Newt Gingrich