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The Age of Reason treatise, written in parts during the 1790's and dealing in a systematic examination of organized religion, advocates a sceptical and rational materialistic examination of religion known as Deism. Paine stresses his belief in "one god", or, the "Word of God" as exemplified by nature and the exercise of Reason. Thus, he necessarily rejects most of the tenets of both the Old Testament and New Testament. As he stresses: "I detest it
Paine began the work while in France in 1793. As Paine was in jail for protesting the execution of Louis XVI, this first section was published in a French translation. After his release from prison, at the urging of James MonroeJames Monroe Order 5th President Term of Office March 4, 1817 March 3, 1825 Followed James Madison Succeeded by John Quincy Adams Date of Birth April 28, 1758 Place of Birth Westmoreland County, Virginia Date of Death July 4, 1831 Place of Death New York, Paine wrote the second part. The completed work was then published several years later.