[Partner Event] A Revolution of Reason: Honoring Thomas Paine

Let's join our friends at the Humanist Association of Orange County.

Happy New Year, and welcome to our first event of the year! We thought we would start off with a light documentary honoring the heroic work of Thomas Paine. Please join us for a documentary screening celebrating the life and legacy of Thomas Paine, a revolutionary thinker whose words helped give birth to a nation. Through works like Common Sense and The Rights of Man, Paine challenged tyranny, defended human dignity, and insisted that government exists to serve the people. This event welcomes everyone interested in history, democracy, and the timeless struggle for justice and freedom.

Zoom Reg HERE

Thomas Paine was a self-taught writer, immigrant, and political radical whose ideas helped transform public opinion at a pivotal moment in history. In 1776, his pamphlet Common Sense made the case for independence in clear, accessible language, reaching ordinary people and helping turn a growing protest into a revolutionary movement. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Paine argued that freedom was not a privilege granted by rulers, but a natural right shared by all people.
Beyond the American Revolution, Paine remained a passionate advocate for democracy, social justice, and human rights. His later works, including The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason, challenged monarchy, religious authoritarianism, and inherited power, often at great personal cost. Though celebrated in his lifetime, Paine was later marginalized for his uncompromising commitment to reason, equality, and freedom of thought—ideas that continue to resonate today.
This documentary explores both Paine’s heroic contributions and the controversies surrounding his legacy, inviting viewers to reflect on the power of ideas, the risks of speaking truth to power, and the ongoing struggle to live up to democratic ideals. Following the screening, we welcome discussion and conversation. All are invited—no prior knowledge required.

Questions? PM me on Meetup or find me on LinkedIn

Rhett Kuseski
President, Humanist Association of Orange County