deism
1682 (deist is from 1621), from Fr. déisme, from L. deus "god" (see Zeus). Until c.1700, opposed to atheism, in a sense where we would now use theism (see theist).
The term "Deism" originally referred to a belief in one deity, as contrasted with the belief in no God (Atheism) and belief in many Gods (Polytheism). During the later 17th century, the meaning of "Deism" began to change. It referred to forms of radical Christianity - belief systems that rejected miracles, revelation, and the inerrancy of the Bible. Currently, Deism is generally no longer associated with Christianity or any other established religion. Then, as now, Deism is not a religious movement in the conventional sense of the world. There is no Deistic network of places of worship, a priesthood or hierarchy of authority.
Deism was greatly influential among politicians, scientists and philosophers during the later 17th century and 18 century, in England, France Germany and the United States.
Early Deism was a logical outgrowth of the great advances in astronomy, physics, and chemistry that had been made by Bacon, Copernicus, Galileo, etc. It was a small leap from rational study of nature to the application of the same techniques in religion. Early Deists believed that the Bible contained important truths, but they rejected the concept that it was divinely inspired or inerrant. They were leaders in the study of the Bible as a historical (rather than an inspired, revealed) document. Lord Herbert of Cherbury (d. 1648) was one of the earliest proponents of Deism in England. In his book "De Veritate," (1624), he described the "Five Articles" of English Deists:
Many of the leaders of the French and American revolutions followed this belief system. Among the U.S. founding fathers, John Quincy Adams, Ethan Allen, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison Thomas Paine, and George Washington were all Deists. Deists played a major role in creating the principle of separation of church and state, and the religious freedom clauses of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
We have been unable to find estimates of the number of Deists in North America. Although both the U.S. and Canada census document religious affiliations, many Deists are listed under Freethinkers, Humanists, persons of no religion, Agnostics, etc. Many Deists who feel a need to join a spiritual community of searchers for truth become members of congregations associated with the Unitarian Universalist Association.
"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in His government of the world with any particular marks of His displeasure.
"I shall only add, respecting myself, that, having experienced the goodness of that Being in conducting me prosperously through a long life, I have no doubt of its continuance in the next, without the smallest conceit of meriting it... I confide that you will not expose me to criticism and censure by publishing any part of this communication to you. I have ever let others enjoy their religious sentiments, without reflecting on them for those that appeared to me unsupportable and even absurd. All sects here, and we have a great variety, have experienced my good will in assisting them with subscriptions for building their new places of worship; and, as I never opposed any of their doctrines, I hope to go out of the world in peace with them all."
[Benjamin Franklin, letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale, shortly before his death; from "Benjamin Franklin" by Carl Van Doren, the October, 1938 Viking Press edition pages 777-778 Also see Alice J. Hall, "Philosopher of Dissent: Benj. Franklin," National Geographic, Vol. 148, No. 1, July, 1975, p. 94]
Straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. :^) Can we now just admit that Franklin was of profoundly Christian persuasion and sensibility? Or are there still people out there who are prepared to argue the negative?
Thank you ever so much, dearest sister in Christ, for your excellent research into these issues!
Once again you confirm that if the right button can be found (as true of our friend boop as it is of you), the results will be rather spectacular. Likewise, you convincingly illustrate that seeking definition and meaning will bring clarity to a conversation. I had hoped for a similar result from others on this sidebar, but it seems no curiosity was aroused, no desire to learn stimulated. But, of course, for either of those two things to have occurred, that had to have been their motivation in the first place.
Your remarks lead me to search out my own copy of the July 75 edition of The National Geographic, and it seems that it was the very year of his death (1790) that Franklin wrote to Ezra Stiles expressing some doubts as to the divinity of Christ, but adding that he did not dogmatize upon it, expecting it to be a question soon answered. It is in this same letter that Franklin declares his belief in one God, Creator of the Universe, and it is at this point where etymology and definition, once again, become our friends. The word Creator with a capital C did not become common until the appearance of the King James Bible (1611) and it has, ever since that time, come to specifically mean the biblical Judeo-Christian God (see the Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, The Origins of American English Words see also In The Beginning The story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture, by Alister McGrath).
Perhaps it is that letter to which js1138 refers in his abortive effort to undermine boops quote of Franklins June 28th convention speech by falsely alleging a fabrication of one of the best known speeches arising from that period in Americas history.