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Thomas Paine

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Philosopher

The Resume

    (January 29, 1737-June 8, 1809)
    Wrote 'Age of Reason' (1795), 'Common Sense' (1776), 'The Rights of Man, (1792)' and 'The American Crisis'

Why he might be annoying:

    He was an alcoholic.
    He became an honorary citizen of France, and was later arrested by French officials when they found his ideas too radical.
    He received no assistance from the new American government, as the Federalist party was unhappy with his views on religion.
    He returned to America in 1802 and was buried in New York in 1809.
    In 1819, William Cobbett dug up Paine's casket with intentions of reburying him in England as a symbol of Britain's movement to Democracy.
    England refused to allow his casket buried there and his remains disappeared.

Why he might not be annoying:

    During a time when it was rare to criticize religion, Paine wrote of the contradictions and atrocities of the Bible.
    He stated: 'All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.'
    He believed that government was a necessary evil of society.
    He is against the rule of kings and says that it is a heathen custom.
    He explained in 'Common Sense' why America should break free of England and set up as a republic.
    His famous opening sentence in American Crisis was 'These are the times that try men's souls.'

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 15 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 22 Votes: 4.55% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 119 Votes: 51.26% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 170 Votes: 49.41% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 273 Votes: 53.11% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 162 Votes: 62.35% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 50 Votes: 48.00% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 61 Votes: 37.70% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 13 Votes: 38.46% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 119 Votes: 61.34% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 2571 Votes: 32.21% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 123 Votes: 38.21% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 152 Votes: 44.08% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 435 Votes: 41.15% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 479 Votes: 42.17% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 450 Votes: 42.44% Annoying
    In 2003, Out of 1951 Votes: 42.39% Annoying
    In 2002, Out of 4037 Votes: 38.02% Annoying
    In 2001, Out of 10734 Votes: 32.41% Annoying