Thomas Paine Day...to be or not to be?

Blog #1 - 3rd quarter
In Arkansas, the designation of January 29 as Thomas Paine Day failed after Paine’s criticism of religion was brought up for debate by one member of the House of Representatives. The bill will be brought to the floor again, and when it does it will need only five more votes than it received in the recent vote. The bill, which was intended as official recognition of Paine’s contribution during the American Revolution, would not make the day an official state holiday.
Representative Sid Rosenbaum was among those voting against Paine day, sharing his opinion that Paine’s 18th century “Age of Reason” was “anti-Christian and anti-Jewish.” Rosenbaum, who recognized Paine’s preference for reason rather than religion, did agree that Paine “did some good for the nation,” however he thinks more time was necessary to consider the bill.
Democrat Lindsley Price, who presented the legislation to the House, was surprised that the bill sparked controversy. Smith said “I think if Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were standing here today, they would give you the same presentation.” Price believes that Paine “should be respected and honored.”
Thomas Paine was very influential in America’s fight for independence from England. One of his best known works is Common Sense, published in 1776. Although he did not have any personal success as a soldier, Paine was able to inspire many in the army with The Crisis. While imprisoned in France, he wrote the anti-church work The Age of Reason. Paine died June 8, 1809 in New York City.