Using Thomas Paine’s Principles and the Four Gospels to Counter Project 2025
In this article (my prompts for AI to find quickly the relevant quotes) I have sought to challenge the 900 page Project 2025 and its goals. They are neither American nor Christian. I helped edit and summarize the "Rights of Man" published Everyman Paperbacks - it was introduced by the British politician, Tony Benn. I have for many years believed that Paine's focus was a just one and while I do not agree with everything, I do believe that the tenor of his writings accord with mine which are fairness, caring, sharing, justice, equality and inclusivity. The Project 2025 is not at all grounded in the values or aspirations of Paine and the Founding Fathers, indeed they have more in common with fascism and the autocratic rule of emperors and kings - the latter were the very targets of the revolutionary movement. Project 2025 in its championing of the executive over the other branches has in effect crowned a king: Donald Trump. As to their Christian orientation, the editors and contributors of Project 2025 and those in the MAGA movement fail to follow the teachings of Christ which are found in the core of the New Testament, namely the Four Gospels which set forth the role model (his life) and the practices (his teachings) which every Christian should claim to be paramount. However, you will see that Project 2025 focuses on the Old Testament and the Roman parts of the New Testament which are often at odds with the Four Gospels. Indeed Jesus sought to overturn Mosaic Law in his teachings and life, and one can see that initially the disciples were divided between the Lord is my shepherd (as in Gospels) and the pre New Testament conception of Jesus as a warrior or soldier which was in line with the Roman militaristic approach to everything. That divide resulted in the Crusades and bloodshed - non of which equates with the Lord is my Shepherd and the heart of Christianity which is "caritas" - Paine as a dissenter was also a pacifist.
So now the articles
Introduction
Project 2025, a right-wing policy agenda designed to reshape the U.S. government, threatens the foundational democratic principles upon which America was built. To counter this movement, we turn to the writings of Thomas Paine, one of the most influential thinkers of the American Revolution. Paine’s works, including Common Sense, The Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason, champion democratic governance, individual liberty, and the separation of church and state. His arguments provide a powerful intellectual foundation to resist authoritarian tendencies and uphold the democratic values that Project 2025 seeks to undermine.
1. Democracy Over Authoritarianism
Paine was a staunch advocate for representative democracy, arguing against monarchy and concentrated power. In Common Sense, he criticized the dangers of centralized rule, writing, “A government of our own is our natural right.” Project 2025’s proposals, such as expanding executive power and weakening regulatory agencies, mirror the authoritarianism Paine opposed. To counter these efforts, Americans must reaffirm their commitment to democratic checks and balances and reject attempts to centralize power in the executive branch.
2. The Protection of Individual Rights
In The Rights of Man, Paine articulated the necessity of protecting individual freedoms from oppressive governance. He argued that government exists to secure rights, not restrict them. Project 2025’s policies threaten reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of expression, contradicting Paine’s belief in a government that serves the people. Upholding individual liberty requires direct opposition to policies that limit personal freedoms and marginalize vulnerable communities.
3. Separation of Church and State
Paine was an ardent critic of theocracy and religious influence in government. In The Age of Reason, he warned against the dangers of intertwining religion with state power. Project 2025’s efforts to integrate Christian nationalism into government policy stand in direct opposition to Paine’s vision of a secular republic. Defending the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom necessitates rejecting policies that privilege one faith over others or impose religious doctrine on civil governance.
4. The Role of Government in Social Welfare
Paine advocated for social programs to support the common good, including progressive taxation and public assistance for the poor. In Agrarian Justice, he proposed a welfare system to address economic inequality. Project 2025’s push for deregulation and deep cuts to social programs threatens the well-being of working-class and marginalized Americans. Countering these policies requires reinforcing the idea that government should serve all people, not just the wealthy and powerful.
5. The Power of the People to Resist Tyranny
Throughout his writings, Paine emphasized the power of the people to challenge unjust rule. “The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government,” he wrote. As Project 2025 seeks to dismantle democratic safeguards, civic engagement, protest, and advocacy become essential. Americans must embrace Paine’s call to action by organizing, voting, and resisting policies that erode democratic institutions.
Conclusion
Thomas Paine’s vision of democracy, liberty, and justice remains a vital counterpoint to the authoritarian ambitions of Project 2025. By invoking his principles, we reaffirm the ideals of self-governance, human rights, and resistance to tyranny. In an era where democracy is under threat, Paine’s words remind us that the power to shape the future remains in the hands of the people.
Using the Four Gospels to Counter Project 2025
Introduction
Project 2025 presents a vision for America that prioritizes centralized power, the integration of Christian nationalism into governance, and policies that marginalize vulnerable communities. However, a close reading of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—reveals that the teachings of Jesus stand in direct opposition to these goals. Jesus’ ministry emphasized compassion, justice, humility, and care for the oppressed. By examining His words and actions, we find a compelling theological argument against the authoritarianism and exclusionary policies of Project 2025.
1. Justice for the Oppressed
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently prioritizes the needs of the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. In Luke 4:18-19, He declares:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Project 2025’s policies, which propose deep cuts to social welfare programs and protections for vulnerable populations, contradict this fundamental message. A government that seeks to follow Christ’s example should uplift, not abandon, the least among us.
2. Humility Over Power
Jesus repeatedly rejected the pursuit of earthly power and warned against leaders who sought control for selfish gain. In Matthew 20:25-28, He teaches:
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Project 2025’s push for expanded executive power and control contradicts this call to servant leadership. True leadership, as exemplified by Christ, requires humility and service to the people rather than a consolidation of authority.
3. Welcoming the Stranger
Jesus welcomed the outcasts of society, teaching that love and hospitality should extend to all people. In Matthew 25:35-40, He declares:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Project 2025’s stance on immigration and exclusionary policies contradicts this radical hospitality. A truly Christ-centered government would embrace the stranger, protect refugees, and ensure the dignity of all people rather than building barriers of exclusion.
4. Separation of Church and State
Despite being the Son of God, Jesus never sought to impose religious rule over society. When questioned about political allegiance in Mark 12:17, He responded:
“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
Project 2025’s push to infuse Christian nationalism into public policy disregards this teaching. Jesus’ words remind us that faith is a personal commitment, not a tool for government control. A just society should allow religious freedom rather than enforcing a specific religious ideology.
5. Love as the Greatest Commandment
Above all, Jesus preached love—love for God and love for others. In John 13:34-35, He commands:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Project 2025’s divisive policies, which promote discrimination and exclusion, are incompatible with this central teaching. Any movement that claims to follow Christ must prioritize love, justice, and mercy above political power and social control.
Conclusion
The teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the four Gospels, provide a clear moral and theological challenge to Project 2025. His message of justice, humility, inclusivity, separation of church and state, and above all, love, stands in stark contrast to the exclusionary and authoritarian principles embedded in this agenda. If we are to truly follow Christ, we must reject policies that harm the vulnerable and work instead to build a society that reflects His teachings of compassion, dignity, and justice for all.