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The Age of Reason
In the 1800s, both religion and science evoked wonder, but at times their interactions gave rise to conflict.
Thomas Paine developed new ideas that complicated religious teachings.
Revolutionary-era political activist Thomas Paine was fascinated with orreries, moving mechanical models of the solar system. In them he perceived a natural order that seemed a more perfect reflection of divine design than was suggested by the Bible. Even as he envisioned “every house of devotion a school of science,” critics accused him of attacking religion. |