Preferred Name
Jason R. Patterson
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
ORCID
https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-0413-9566
Date of Graduation
5-12-2022
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of History
Advisor(s)
Kevin Hardwick
Robert Brown
Michael Gubser
Andrew Witmer
Abstract
Thomas Paine was one of the most prolific writers in the Age of Revolutions. His writings can be analyzed from a political, philosophical, humanitarian, or religious point of view. However, it was Paine's use of religious rhetoric that ultimately led to the demise of his character and reputation as a popular actor in the American Revolution. Most historiography on Paine focuses in on one of the mentioned perspectives, leaving out a much larger narrative or arch of Paine's life. This thesis will cover a series of Paine's writings beginning with his first, The Case of the Officers of Excise (1772), written in England before his arrival to the colonies and end with, Age of Reason (1794), written in France during the revolution. This thesis will also show how Paine's use of religious rhetoric changed over time, with the hope of giving more insight to Paine's thoughts. Paine's diary was his writings and the only way to examine Paine is by examining his writings and correspondences. To help accomplish this, an array of primary sources is used in this thesis, along with recent historiography where Paine makes appearances. By piecing these sources together, a much larger narrative on Paine and his religious thinking can be told.
Recommended Citation
Patterson, Jason R., "God and reason: An intellectual religious journey through the mind of Thomas Paine" (2022). Masters Theses, 2020-current. 150.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/masters202029/150
Included in
American Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Intellectual History Commons, United States History Commons
