Changes

Some historians claim that Benjamin Franklin was a [[Deism|deist]] rather than a Christian.  But although Franklin wrote widely, he rarely made statements associated with principles of Deism.  Instead, Franklin proposed saying prayers at the [[Constitutional Convention]], prayers that would certainly have been Christian in nature.  At most 5% of the Founding Fathers were deists and historians tend to exaggerate this number in an attempt to deny the Christian basis for the United States.

Some historians claim that Benjamin Franklin was a [[Deism|deist]] rather than a Christian.  But although Franklin wrote widely, he rarely made statements associated with principles of Deism.  Instead, Franklin proposed saying prayers at the [[Constitutional Convention]], prayers that would certainly have been Christian in nature.  At most 5% of the Founding Fathers were deists and historians tend to exaggerate this number in an attempt to deny the Christian basis for the United States.

A quote from Franklin's autobiography would seem to clear up this debate. "Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle’s Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist." <need citation for this, such as when this autobiography was written and the context of this quote, such as evidence that Franklin was not simply describing a phase he went through>

A quote from Franklin's autobiography would seem to clear up this debate. "Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle’s Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist."

:Here is my Creed: I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That he governs it by Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we render to him is doing good to his other Children. That the soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another Life respecting its conduct in in this. These I take to be the fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.

 

: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, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received many corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some doubt as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I need not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect Soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble. I see no harm in its being believed, if that belief has good consequences, as probably it has, of making his Doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not observe that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the Unbelievers in Government of the world with any Marks of his displeasure."<ref>''The Writings of Benjamin Franklin,'' Macmillan and Co., 1907, [http://books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC07368016&id=IkQBIcYzzUEC&pg=RA2-PA84&lpg=RA2-PA84&dq=%22As+to+Jesus+of+Nazareth,+my+Opinion+of+whom+you+particularly+desire%22#PRA2-PA84,M1 p. 84]</ref>

 

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