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'''Deism''' is the combination of the intuition of the [[transcendence]] of God and the belief that God cannot, or, at least, does not, interact with, nor otherwise involve Himself in, the Creation. Deism is contrasted with [[pantheism]], in that pantheism is the combination of belief in an omnipresent Creator God and the belief that God's [[omnipresence]] implies that God ''is'' the Creation.

'''Deism''' is the combination of the intuition of the [[transcendence]] of God and the belief that God cannot, or, at least, does not, interact with, nor otherwise involve Himself in, the Creation. Deism is contrasted with [[pantheism]], in that pantheism is the combination of belief in an omnipresent Creator God and the belief that God's [[omnipresence]] implies that God ''is'' the Creation.  Contrary to the propaganda taught in [[public school]], only one [[Founding Father]] was a deist: [[Thomas Paine]].

In its mildest form, Deism is nearly equivalent to a belief that no one can truly know whether there is a God or not ([[agnosticism]]). In its strongest form, Deism is a systematic religion of rejecting all claims to a personal, or otherwise involved, God, in that God is supposed incapable, by His transcendence, of any kind of interaction with the Creation.

In its mildest form, Deism is nearly equivalent to a belief that no one can truly know whether there is a God or not ([[agnosticism]]). In its strongest form, Deism is a systematic religion of rejecting all claims to a personal, or otherwise involved God, in that God is supposed incapable, by His transcendence, of any kind of interaction with the Creation.

In its typical modern form, deism is anti-[[Christian]], as it denies the divinity of [[Jesus Christ]], rejects the Bible (and all other texts) as God's scripture, and denies his signs and miracles to men.  It lacks any coherent morality, and is an excuse to claim to be religious while engaging in immoral activity.  Thus it is a favorite of [[liberals]] who do not want to be branded with atheism.

In its typical modern form, deism is anti-[[Christian]], as it denies the divinity of [[Jesus Christ]], rejects the Bible (and all other texts) as God's scripture, and denies his signs and miracles to men.  It lacks any coherent morality, and is an excuse to claim to be religious while engaging in immoral activity.  Thus it is a favorite of [[liberals]] who do not want to be branded with atheism.

== Origins ==

== Origins ==

In ancient times, [[Aristotle]] was a deist as is evident from his arguments for a ''prime mover'' in his writing, ''Metaphysics''. Even though the word ''deism'' was not yet coined, he still believed what deists believe: that God exists and is knowable through natural reason. <ref>http://www.logicmuseum.com/ontological/aristotleontological.htm</ref>

In ancient times, [[Aristotle]] was a deist as is evident from his arguments for a ''prime mover'' in his writing, ''Metaphysics''. Even though the word ''deism'' was not yet coined, he still believed what deists believe: that God exists and is knowable through natural reason.<ref>http://www.logicmuseum.com/ontological/aristotleontological.htm</ref>

The founder of the offshoot of  that found a place in [[England]] during the [[Reformation]] and reached the colonies was [[Lord Herbert of Cherbury]]. <ref>http://www.theologicalstudies.org/what_is_deism.html</ref> He came up with 5 essentials of Deism which are "(1) a belief in the existence of the Deity, (2) the obligation to reverence such a power, (3) the identification of worship with practical morality, (4) the obligation to repent of sin and to abandon it, and, (5) divine recompense in this world and the next"<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/d/deismeng.htm</ref>. This was a rather odd variant mixing in many Christian virtues without Jesus, and rather foreign to traditional Deism.

The founder of the offshoot of  that found a place in [[England]] during the [[Reformation]] and reached the colonies was [[Lord Herbert of Cherbury]].<ref>http://www.theologicalstudies.org/what_is_deism.html</ref> He came up with 5 essentials of Deism which are "(1) a belief in the existence of the Deity, (2) the obligation to reverence such a power, (3) the identification of worship with practical morality, (4) the obligation to repent of sin and to abandon it, and, (5) divine recompense in this world and the next".<ref>http://www.iep.utm.edu/d/deismeng.htm</ref>  This was a rather odd variant mixing in many Christian virtues without Jesus, and rather foreign to traditional Deism.

Dictionaries' definitions of '''deism''' include:

Dictionaries' definitions of '''deism''' include:

The first definition refers to a conception of God sometimes called the ''[[deus otiosus]]''.

The first definition refers to a conception of God sometimes called the ''[[deus otiosus]]''.

The [[Catholic Church]] would denounce Deism as a [[Heresy]] in the 1500s, for its rejection of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the importance of the church, and eschewing the idea of Divine Intervention. While Lord Herbert would found the movement, by the 1800s his arguments were largely demolished by the philosopher Locke and his deconstruction of the concept of an 'Innate Truth'(Upon which much of Herbert's views on Deism were founded).

The [[Catholic Church]] would denounce Deism as a [[Heresy]] in the 1500s, for its rejection of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the importance of the church, and eschewing the idea of Divine Intervention. While Lord Herbert would found the movement, by the 1800s his arguments were largely demolished by the philosopher [[John Locke]] and his deconstruction of the concept of an 'Innate Truth' (upon which much of Herbert's views on Deism were founded).

Matthew Tindal is generally credited with the modern incarnation of Deism and that practiced by the Founding Fathers who were Deists. "God designed all Mankind should at all times know, what he wills them to know, believe, profess, and practice; and has given them no other Means for this, but the Use of Reason."

Matthew Tindal is generally credited with the modern incarnation of Deism and that practiced by the Founding Fathers who were Deists. "God designed all Mankind should at all times know, what he wills them to know, believe, profess, and practice; and has given them no other Means for this, but the Use of Reason."

==Deism and the Founding Fathers==

==Deism and the Founding Fathers==

While almost all of the Founding Fathers were devout Christians{{fact}}, some it is believed were deists, at least according to some definitions of the term.

While almost all of the Founding Fathers were devout [[Christians]], some it is believed were deists, at least according to some definitions of the term.

==Paine==

==Paine==

A famous deist in early American history was the Englishman [[Thomas Paine]], who espoused deism and popularized the term in his book [[The Age of Reason]]. It is believed this had an influence on deism in the colonies. [[Benjamin Franklin]] wrote in his autobiography about an earlier period in his life,

A famous deist in early American history was the Englishman [[Thomas Paine]], who espoused deism and popularized the term in his book ''[[The Age of Reason]]''. It is believed this had an influence on deism in the colonies. [[Benjamin Franklin]] wrote in his autobiography about an earlier period in his life,

<blockquote>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.</blockquote>

<blockquote>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.</blockquote>

==George Washington==

==George Washington==

The leading Founder of the United States, George Washington, has been claimed as a deist during the past forty years, despite written evidence to the contrary, both in Washington's writings as well as the writings of his contemporaries.  An Episcopalian, Washington rented church pews in various cities and acted as usher; the pew Washington rented at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City is still preserved<ref>http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60763-d105055-i36367014-St_Paul_s_Chapel-New_York_City_New_York.html</ref>. The tenents of his church during the 18th and 19th centuries were such that outward displays of piety and religiosity were avoided<ref>Novak, pg 12</ref>, in keeping with the Christian practice of Matthew 6:5: ''"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."'' (King James Version).  Anglican manners seek a "middle ground", which for all intents and purposes was a path that would find the least devisiveness, to avoid or give offense, to keep the peace, and yet to keep space open for shared ideas<ref>Novak, pg. 12</ref>. The rules for a "gentleman" stated that a "devout" man kept his devotion restrained in public; Washington himself was described by witnesses and biographers as such a man, one who kept his religion and beliefs private.

The leading Founder of the United States, George Washington, has been claimed as a deist during the past forty years, despite written evidence to the contrary, both in Washington's writings as well as the writings of his contemporaries.  An Episcopalian, Washington rented church pews in various cities and acted as usher; the pew Washington rented at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City is still preserved.<ref>http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60763-d105055-i36367014-St_Paul_s_Chapel-New_York_City_New_York.html</ref>  The tenets of his church during the 18th and 19th centuries were such that outward displays of [[piety]] and religiosity were avoided,<ref>Novak, pg 12</ref> in keeping with the Christian practice of Matthew 6:5: ''"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."'' (King James Version).  Anglican manners seek a "middle ground", which for all intents and purposes was a path that would find the least divisiveness, to avoid or give offense, to keep the peace, and yet to keep space open for shared ideas.<ref>Novak, pg. 12</ref>  The rules for a "gentleman" stated that a "devout" man kept his devotion restrained in public; Washington himself was described by witnesses and biographers as such a man, one who kept his religion and beliefs private.

But when Washington did speak of religion and his faith, he strongly indicated which faith he was talking about.  In May, 1789, he sent a letter to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches:  

But when Washington did speak of religion and his faith, he strongly indicated which faith he was talking about.  In May, 1789, he sent a letter to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches:  

==Modern Deism==

==Modern Deism==

Modernly, as noted above, Deism has both declined and fractured, with some of its original ideas being adopted as part of "[[new age]]" movements. Variations of Deism that have developed or been proposed include [[Pandeism]] (enunciated in the 1850s, and merging Deism with [[Pantheism]], the idea that God is equal to the Universe); [[Polydeism]] (merging Deism with [[polytheism]], proposing that multiple Gods created then abandoned the Universe); and [[Panendeism]] (merging Deism with the 1830s idea of [[Panentheism]], that the Universe was part of God, but was also transcended by God). None of these offshoots has garnered a significant following relative to organized religions, although it should be noted that many strains of [[Hinduism]] are in fact Pandeism.

Modernly, as noted above, Deism has both declined and fractured, with some of its original ideas being adopted as part of "[[new age]]" movements. Variations of Deism that have developed or been proposed include [[Pandeism]] (enunciated in the 1850s, and merging Deism with [[Pantheism]], the idea that God is equal to the Universe); [[Polydeism]] (merging Deism with [[polytheism]], proposing that multiple Gods created then abandoned the Universe); and [[Panendeism]] (merging Deism with the 1830s idea of [[Panentheism]], that the Universe was part of God, but was also transcended by God). None of these offshoots has garnered a significant following relative to organized religions, although it should be noted that many strains of [[Hinduism]] are in fact Pandeism.

==70 Years of Miracles Account==

Though many claim deism is Christian, today's deism as it stands is squarely anti-Christian; it denies the involvement of God in human affairs, removes Him from a personal relationship with individuals, replaces it with a man-made philosophy considered "superior", and leaves unanswered the question of sin. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus clearly gives an answer to such a "half-in, half-out" philosophy:

There is a book by Richard H. Harvey, entitled "70 Years of Miracles." In it Harvey relates his experience in a Chemistry class at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania in the 1920's.

:''And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;''

 

:''I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.''

According to Harvey, his professor Dr. Lee was a deist who for many years had spent time with each freshman class lecturing against prayer. After a couple of sessions discussing the power of natural laws and the lack of evidence that any god interferes with those laws, Lee would announce that he would drop a flask to the floor and challenged anyone to pray that the flask would remain whole.

:''So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.''

 

:''Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:''

Harvey then related that one year, a student finally found the courage to stand up and volunteer to pray. Lee dropped the flask and it rolled off his shoe to the floor without damage. The class cheered and Lee no longer delivered his annual lectures against prayer. [http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/ath/blathm_urb_chalk.htm fair use]

:''I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.'' (Revelation, Ch. 3:14-18, KJV)

 

'''Sources:'''<references/>

*Washington, George. ''Writings''; Library of America, New York (1997)

*Novak, Michael, and Novak, Jana. ''Washington's God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country;'' Basic Books, New York (2006)

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Protagoras]]

*[[Protagoras]]

*[[Greek Philosophy]]

*[[Greek Philosophy]]

*[http://thedcl.org/christia/s/stephwill/agodeieg/agodeieg.html An Account of the Growth of Deism in England] by William Stephens.

*[http://thedcl.org/christia/s/stephwill/agodeieg/agodeieg.html An Account of the Growth of Deism in England] by William Stephens.

*[http://books.google.com/books?id=LanKhFle9BUC ''America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln''], Mark A. Noll, 3rd Ed.,Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 0195151119, 9780195151114

*[https://books.google.com/books?id=LanKhFle9BUC ''America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln''], Mark A. Noll, 3rd Ed.,Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 0195151119, 9780195151114

[[Category:Types of Theism]]

[[Category:Types of Theism]]