ipl-logo

Similarities Between Franklin And Thomas Paine

577 Words3 Pages

Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine both believed that organized religion is unnecessary to society. While their perspectives on freedom within an organized religion are similar, they had unique opinions on the freedom within religion.
First, Franklin and Paine both thought that one’s own reason should be used in place of an organized religion. Franklin believed that religion should be worshipping God with your own standards and not societies. He believes this is more beneficial than practicing it as a community because it is more engaging for the individual. Franklin values prayer and doing good works over rituals such as a regular attendance to church, emphasizing using one's own reason for understanding the word of God. For example, Franklin described the time he went to listen to his friend, the Presbyterian minister, preach for five consecutive weeks (Andrews, 133). Franklin remained unenthused about public worship and found the aim of the minister was to focus the people on becoming “Presbyterians rather than good citizens” (Andrews, 133). He found himself “disgusted” by the argument the minister made in regards to the verse from Philippians, therefore, deciding to never return to his sermon again nor to any other public sermon again. This point of view is similar to Thomas Paine’s point of view in that Paine believed the only way to discover God …show more content…

Franklin stresses the importance of having respect towards others religions. He states, “...respect to all, with an opinion that the worst had some good effects”, emphasizing that while a particular religion may not be correct in our eyes, it still could have “good effects” for society as a whole (Andrews, 133). Franklin had a more positive view on the effects of religion for society, whereas Paine would describe it as a heresy, but that “they have the same right to their belief as I have to mine” (Paine,

Show More
Related
288 Words | 2 Pages

They both showed how they felt about the problem they were dealing with. Patrick Henry was talking about fighting the British and Ben Franklin talked about how the Constitution has

Read More
907 Words | 4 Pages

Thomas Paine, a man who is responsible for some of the most influential writing during the colonial period of the seventeen-hundreds. Thomas Paine was born in Britain, in January 1737 and moved to America in the year 1774 shortly before the start of the Revolutionary war on April 19th 1775. Soon after the first major battle in the war Thomas wrote his most famous work, a pamphlet titled “Common Sense”. The purpose of this pamphlet was to persuade anyone who might be undecided on whether or not they wanted to break free from the oppression of the British government. Thomas wanted the American people to fight for more than just freedom from British taxation, he believed that they could gain or independence.

Read More
174 Words | 1 Pages

Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention” and Benjamin Franklin’s “Speech in the Convention”. They had many different viewpoints and some that were similar. Patrick Henry was an Anti-Federalist. He believed that compromises resulted in violence and he wanted us to fight for what we wanted.

Read More
371 Words | 2 Pages

Thomas Paine's most effective rhetorical strategy has to be his incessant allusions to different Biblical elements in order to arouse the idea of independence. One of the best examples of this comes as early as the first paragraph, where he discusses the absurdity of Britain's claim that they have the right to bind all of their citizens in every matter or case. However, Paine retorts with a response of his own, saying, "for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. . . ." (1). Here Paine, knowing that most of his readers are devout, Protestant churchgoers, briefly introduces the notion that Britain is overstepping its authority in such a way that it's almost as if they are trying to play God.

Read More
177 Words | 1 Pages

Both Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson like many of the founding fathers of America share a ideology concerning independence and freedom in general. Although the two were notably talented writers, the difference in their arguments was their respective deliveries, writing styles, and their timing. Personally, I agree more with the way Thomas Paine chose to present his point of view. Common sense, for example, was a significant eye-opener for many Americans. One of the only reasons it made such huge impact was because it was written in a style that was easy to understand for the average American.

Read More
278 Words | 2 Pages

Thoreau vs. Ben Franklin Henry David Thoreau and Ben Franklin are both very different in beliefs but are still both considered great writers in American History. Their religious views for one were very different but both were wise for the world they were in. They also had some similarities on the nature of man and society. Henry David Thoreau believed in Transcendentalism, which is coming one with nature and humans should be self reliant.

Read More
691 Words | 3 Pages

Two people stand on two different stages, projecting the same message, but the power is what draws the people. Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry are great persuaders in the time when war upon Britain was approaching. In their separate speeches, each uses a different type of rhetoric or appeal to get the people of America to follow their word, but Thomas Paine moved people through what he said, used vivid and cruel descriptions of Britain’s rule, and subjected the people to believe that they would thrive and grow without a helping hand from Britain holding them back; Although Patrick Henry, in his “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, showed the spirit of true patriotism, he couldn't amount to the passion and emotion that flowed through the

Read More
342 Words | 2 Pages

Compare the backgrounds of Jefferson and Paine; did Paine have an advantage or disadvantage by not being born in the colonies? Explain. Paine had the advantage of being able to see the issues from the outside and from a lower point of society. To be able to understand a bigger group of people is far more of an advancement than to always target the smaller group. Which was the cause of the colonies not wanting to be under rule.

Read More
449 Words | 2 Pages

The Age of Reason v.s today. How are the events and values today connect to events and values of the Age of Reason. The age of reason is when people finally can tell a difference between right and wrong or in other word the Age of Reason was based on facts and science .Thomas Paine thought that the Government should not be involved with religion. The Government should be about the people,not about their religious beliefs.

Read More
298 Words | 2 Pages

Benjamin Franklin and Elizabeth Ashbridge both write on the subject of religion in their narratives. Franklin has very unique view on religion, which was innovative for his time. Franklin questions his faith and beliefs of not only his religion that he was raised in in, but all religion. He was raised as a Presbyterian, but then decided that he was rather study on Sundays than go to church. Though Franklin openly expressed doubt towards religion, he does eventually invent his own religious routine.

Read More
690 Words | 3 Pages

At the start of the 18th century, the beginning of the Enlightenment was upon America. There were many factors and people who help play a part in the Enlightenment or, in other words, the Age of Reason, some of the people that assisted the enlightenment was Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adam. Each of the philosophers demonstrates the fundamental idea of the Enlightenment like liberalism, rationalism, conservatism, toleration and scientific progress. Even though each person played an important part, the most influences person that was involved was Benjamin Franklin. Throughout Benjamin Franklin`s life, he demonstrates through his action and writing that he was the epitome of the Enlightenment by showing that he was

Read More
441 Words | 2 Pages

I have learned so far that the Puritans had a strict and unique attitude and especially when it came to religion. The Puritans believed that there religion and customs was the correct way and would totally oppose either Franklin’s or Paine’s writings. I decided to put all the knowledge I have gain so far in use to read Thomas Paine “The Age of Reason” passage in a puritan’s point of view. Thomas Paine an English American writer, who influenced the American Revolution, wrote an article where he expressed his feelings and points of view about religion.

Read More
922 Words | 4 Pages

There were a lot of American men who had perfect influence on people’s mind of American society. Jonathan Edward and Benjamin Franklin were two of those writers, who were the most important and intellectual men, who left behind many admirable works for the future society. In spite of them being so intelligent, they have some different and similar views in terms of morality, personal responsibility, human nature, and limits of human knowledge and inform people how to live a better life. In addition, they were different in terms of religious inclinations. Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edward were both philosopher and had similar views in terms of informing people the right way to live in order to be successful and get salvation by reforming their mind in their life.

Read More
631 Words | 3 Pages

Much like today’s American fundamentals, Franklin believed in allowing people to worship freely, without discernment or prejudice toward other

Read More
518 Words | 3 Pages

Franklin claims that he has been living long enough to see errors that he made, therefore as he grow older, he tend to “doubt of [his] own judgment” because nobody is perfect due to his past experiences (43). The informations that Franklin presents is to show his reputation that he is not perfect, also his constitution but he is open minded and willing to make what is best for the people. The perspective errors of the constitution have, is being “sacrificed to the public good” meaning all the flaw that constitution have will not be reveal to the people (44). Franklin is very passion about what is best for the people and their happiness, furthermore his characteristic is very respectful toward the citizen and the congress.

Read More

More about Similarities Between Franklin And Thomas Paine

Related Topics

Open Document