Changes

Writers during the Enlightenment assumed that science, beginning in the late 1600s with [[Isaac Newton]], could be duplicated in other fields through a systematic and logical approach.  

Writers during the Enlightenment assumed that science, beginning in the late 1600s with [[Isaac Newton]], could be duplicated in other fields through a systematic and logical approach.  

==Deism==

==Deism and Pietism==

Some of the "enlightened" authors of the period even criticized [[Christianity]] as they adopted God in a [[deist]] form that allowed for removing His influence in everyday affairs, and thus the course of the human development was left to human ingenuity. While much of the population of the times remained Christian, the ideas of enlightenment philosophy creating a greater freedom took root in England, France, and the American colonies.   

Some of the Enlightenment leaders of the period challenged traditional Christianity as they adopted God in a [[deist]] form that saw his role as the clockmaker, not the personal guide. While much of the population of the times remained Christian in terms of performing traditional rituals, deism took root in England, France, and the American colonies.<ref> S. J. Barnett, ''The Enlightenment and Religion. The Myths of Modernity'' (2003) argues that Christianity continued to flourish at the grass roots level. </ref>

 

[[Pietism]] was a new and powerful religious movement that emerged among Lutheran and Reformed circles, especially in Germany.  It stressed a vision of individual rebirth as opposed to ritual and theology, with stress on individual moral behavior. Pietism promoted revivals and missionary activism to convert the world to Christ.  American versions of pietism include the revivals of the [[First Great Awakening]] and was especially manifest in the rapid growth of [[Baptist]] and [[Methodist]] churches.<ref> William G. McLaughlin, ''Isaac Backus and the American Pietistic Tradition'' (1967)</ref>

 

==Politics==

==Politics==

Enlightenment thought, especially the version known as [[Republicanism]], together with Christian values provided the intellectual foundations of the [[American Revolution]]. Thus Thomas Jefferson's [[Declaration of Independence]] (1776) borrowed human rights themes first developed a  century before by of expression put forth by [[John Locke]].   

Enlightenment thought, especially the version known as [[Republicanism]], together with Christian values provided the intellectual foundations of the [[American Revolution]]. Thus Thomas Jefferson's [[Declaration of Independence]] (1776) borrowed human rights themes first developed a  century before by of expression put forth by [[John Locke]].