Theodore Roosevelt's statement that Thomas Paine is a "filthy little atheist" is extremely biased, judgmental, and ungrounded; however, upon studying Paine's work, The Age of Reason and looking at the character and faith of Roosevelt, one can understand why Theodore Roosevelt would make such a statement. First and foremost, Thomas Paine was not an atheist. Moreover, he was neither "filthy" nor "little." Roosevelt's statement, however, is just one example of how deeply offended many were by Paine's dogmatic writings.
Thomas Paine was a self-pronounced deist, not an atheist. Merriam-Webster defines atheist as "one who denies the existence of God." In his opening paragraphs of The Age of Reason Paine declares, "I believe in one God." In the closing chapter of the same work Paine speaks of the wonder of the Creation and how it professes the existence of God. (He refers to the Creation as the only "scripture.") Thomas Paine, therefore, is a deist, not an atheist. Deists not only believe in a Supreme Power, but also believe in an afterlife. Paine writes that he hopes for "happiness beyond this life." Theodore Roosevelt was evidently grossly off-track in his reference to Thomas Paine as an atheist.
The adjectives "filthy" and "little" were harsh and cruel words to describe such a great man as Thomas Paine. He was neither filthy nor little, but a very highly respected, intelligent writer and statesman who did much to promote the cause of independence at a time of political uncertainty in America. His pamphlet, Common Sense, was widely circulated and did much to boost the confidence of the American public. Indeed, Thomas Paine was not "little," but in his day he was larger than life.
Theodore Roosevelt was a Colonel in the Army, Governor of New York, a great conservationist, Vice-President, and President of the United States. Although Roosevelt was, like Paine, intelligent and influential in government, he was also (like Paine) opinionated and out-spoken.
