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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.

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: