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Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"   

Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"   

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies' many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government breaks its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God's providence and truth.     

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that "all men are created equal," having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies' many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government breaks its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God's providence and truth.     

Fifty-six (56) people signed the Declaration of Independence, and many suffered greatly as a result.  Some were killed for defying the ruling authority.  Others, however, thrived afterwards.  They included Benjamin Rush, a physician, taught medicine at the first medical school, the Medical College of Philadelphia, and trained thousands of doctors.  Robert Morris, a wealthy merchant, helped pay for the Revolutionary War.  John Hancock had a successful political career, including being elected in a massive landslide as the Governor of Massachusetts.  Benjamin Franklin lived a long life that included participating in the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

Fifty-six (56) people signed the Declaration of Independence, and many suffered greatly as a result.  Some were killed for defying the ruling authority.  Others, however, thrived afterwards.  They included Benjamin Rush, a physician, taught medicine at the first medical school, the Medical College of Philadelphia, and trained thousands of doctors.  Robert Morris, a wealthy merchant, helped pay for the Revolutionary War.  John Hancock had a successful political career, including being elected in a massive landslide as the Governor of Massachusetts.  Benjamin Franklin lived a long life that included participating in the Constitutional Convention in 1787.  The youngest signer of the Declaration was 26 years old (Edward Rutledge), an attorney who went on to have a successful career in South Carolina.

The colonies had few troops, especially since one-third of the population was loyal to Britain and another significant percentage were pacifist [[Quakers]].  Washington's army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium for a football game.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies did not start winning until Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

The colonies had few troops, especially since one-third of the population was loyal to Britain and another significant percentage were pacifist [[Quakers]].  Washington's army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium for a football game.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies did not start winning until Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.