The following is a quote from “Agrarian Justice” written by Thomas Paine in the winter of 1775-1776 as a response to a sermon by Watson, Bishop of Llandaff: “The Wisdom and Goodness of God, in having made both Rich and Poor.”

“It is wrong to say God made rich and poor; He made only male and female; and He gave them the earth for their inheritance…

Instead of preaching to encourage one part of mankind in insolence*… it would be better that priests employed their time to render the general condition of man less miserable than it is. Practical religion consists in doing good: and the only way of serving God is that of endeavoring to make His creation happy. All preaching that has not this for its object is nonsense and hypocrisy.”

*insolence – showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect”

What are your initial thoughts to this quote?