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Quotable Paine

Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon, than the Word of God. It is a history of wickedness, that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my own part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel.

— THOMAS PAINE, IN THE AGE OF REASON

Virtual Graffiti: Route 9G

A new installment of the occasional, ongoing series (and copyrighted feature) of this site. (Bio of Croesus at Wikipedia for the uninitiated.)

Quotable Sagan

It often happens that scientists say: “You know, that’s a really good argument; my position is mistaken.” And then they actually change their minds, and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn’t happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.

— Carl Sagan (CSICOP Keynote Address, 1987)