Deism (Deists)

Also known as Unitarianism

 

Deism is a religious perspective that believes a supreme being did, or may have, created the universe, but subsequently has no dealings with the universe.  Since there is no way to actually discover the nature of the Supreme Being, there should be no effort wasted in it's speculation.  They do not believe any Christian doctrine.  They do not believe in an afterlife.  Their view is that -- something made the universe, that seems obvious since we are here, but there is no evidence to think that some entity is planning, controlling, or judging our existence.

 

Deists are generally of a firm moral fiber since they believe civilization comes from mankind's desire for order.  They choose to behave in a moral way because civilization depends on it, not for fear of end-life retribution.

 

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It surprises most people to learn that our country was not founded by Christians, nor on Christian principles, but Deist principles.  Noteworthy Deists include:

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Paine

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

James Madison

James Monroe

John Quincy Adams

Andrew Jackson

Abraham Lincoln

 

It is interesting to note that Thomas Jefferson, for example, was widely criticized as being an Atheist in his day by the more orthodox Christians. At the time "Atheist" had a much broader usage than it does now, and was often used to mean "non-Christian" so it was not uncommon to have rival theists branding each other as atheists as they obviously failed to believe in the "right god."
 

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There have been many historical inventions trying to fool the public into thinking the Framers were Christian.  One such famous perpetrator of misinformation is David Barton.  For example, during the recent debate of whether the Ten Commandments could be displayed in government buildings, it was attributed that James Madison said "We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments."  -- Complete Fabrication; these sentiments are not found in any known Madison writings and inconsistent with everything we know about Madison's views on religion and government.  Yet when someone is not seeking the truth, but rather, seeking to promote their own agenda, lies can be incorporated into society's fabric.  Trust what you observe, be skeptical of what is claimed.

 

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Relevant Quotes:

 

“I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved -- the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!”

          -John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson

 

“I am of a sect by myself, as far as I know.”

          -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Ezra Stiles Ely (June 25, 1819)

 

“I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life I absented myself from Christian assemblies.”

          -Benjamin Franklin, quoted from Victor J Stenger, Has Science Found God?