While in the French prison for ten months, Paine wrote another pamphlet, "The Age of Reason."
For some reason, his writings there tagged him as an atheist. It was never clear as to why people viewed "The Age of Reason" as preaching atheism. The pamphlet starts "I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life."
People called him "Godless" and he spent the rest of his life scorned and taunted by others.
President Thomas Jefferson secured Paine's release from The Bastille and he arrived back in the United States. He spent the remainder of his life in poverty and poor health. He was buried without fanfare or glory on a small farm near New Rochelle, New York.
Ten years later, his body was exhumed and sent to England. Strangely enough, it rests in a hero's grave.
He was a hero who used his talents to stand boldly for the right, then insisted on living the ideals he preached. I can't help but have a hope for happiness in the next life for him.
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