The Universe is the bible of a true Theophilanthropist. It is there that he reads of God. It is there that the proofs of his existence are to be sought and to be found. As to written or printed books, by whatever name they are called, they are the works of man's hands, and carry no evidence in themselves that God is the author of any of them. It must be in something that man could not make that we must seek evidence for our belief, and that something is the universe, the true Bible, -- the inimitable work of God.

Contemplating the universe, the whole system of Creation, in this point of light, we shall discover, that all that which is called natural philosophy is properly a divine study. It is the study of God through his works. It is the best study, by which we can arrive at a knowledge of his existence, and the only one by which we can gain a glimpse of his perfection.

Do we want to contemplate his power? We see it in the immensity of the Creation. Do we want to contemplate his wisdom? We see it in the unchangeable order by which the incomprehensible WHOLE is governed. Do we want to contemplate his munificence? We see it in the abundance with which he fills the earth. Do we want to contemplate his mercy? We see it in his not withholding that abundance even from the unthankful. In fine, do we want to know what GOD is? Search not written or printed books, but the Scripture called the 'Creation.'

--Thomas Paine

The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine

Reason: The Only Oracle Of Man by Ethan Allen

What Would You Substitute for the Bible as a Moral Guide? by Robert Green Ingersoll

The Ethics of Belief by W.K. Clifford

A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom by Andrew Dickson White

History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe by William Edward Hartpole Lecky

America's Government is Secular by Jim Walker

Notes on the Founding Fathers and the Separation of Church and State by R.P. Nettelhorst

The U.S. National Mottos: Their History and Constitutionality (at ReligiousTolerance.org; author(s) uncredited)

The Skeptic's Annotated Bible

Evangelical Scientists Refute Gravity With New "Intelligent Falling" Theory (The Onion, August 17 2005)

Activist Judge Cancels Christmas (The Onion, December 14 2005)

Freep this Poll! "Der Spiegel" Exposes The Free Republic's "Freeping" Strategies by Monica Friedlander