Deism

Charleta Moore

History 151

18 July 2018
Charleta Moore 1
Dr. Alec Thomson
History 151
18 July 2018

Deism

Deism is defined as “a movement or system of thought advocating natural

1
(see NATURAL 8b) religion, emphasizing morality, and in the 18th century denying the

interference of the Creator with the laws of the universe” (Merriam Webster Dictionary,

2018). The philosophical definition for deism is, “a form of Monotheism in which it is

believed that one God exists, but that this God does not intervene in the world, or interfere with

human life and the laws of the universe. It posits a non-interventionist creator who permits the

universe to run itself according to natural laws”(philosophybasics.com). When I analyze what

Deism means, I think of a group of people trying to make sense out of or come to some sort of

terms with religion, beliefs and science in an effort to discredit God. According to Hoggard-

Creegan, 2009) “Twentieth-century solutions included deism and process theology, both in their

own ways rejecting the omnipotence of God” (p.19).

Deism was first introduced to the world in the early 1700’s during the Enlightenment

Period. There were many well known influential figures that were believers and supporters of

deism.

John Locke

According to Wikipedia (2018), John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and

physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and

commonly known as the “Father of Liberalism”. Magee (2016) states, “Locke has ever since his

day been regarded as the chief founding father of empiricism and all that flows from it” (p. 102).
Charleta Moore 2
Dr. Alec Thomson
History 151
7 July 2018

Empiricism in Philosophy is the view that all concepts originate in experience, that all

concepts are about or applicable to things that can be experienced, or that all rationally

acceptable belief or propositions are justifiable or knowable only through experience”

(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018).

There is a very profound quote by John Locke that states, “No man’s knowledge here can

go beyond his experience” (Magee, 2016 p. 105). This statement is very relatable and rings true

in so many ways. John Locke was a major contributor to the separation of church and state.

According to Wikipedia (2018), “Locke also advocated governmental separation of

powers and believed that revolution is not only right but an obligation. These ideas would come

to have profound influence on the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the

United States.

“Locke held that all humans have fundamental rights that government is responsible for

protecting things like life and property, and certain liberty rights, one being the free exercise of

religion” (Davis, 2000, p.240). Locke was extremely passionate in the separation of church and

state cause. According to Davis (2000), Locke felt “Government-promulgated religion had too

often been the source of society’s problems, not the solution” (p.240).

Thomas Jefferson

“Thomas Jefferson (April 13,O.S. April 2] 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an

American Founding Father who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence

served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809” (Wikipedia, 2018).
Charleta Moore 3
Dr. Alec Thomson
History 151
7 July 2018

Thomas Jefferson did not share his religious beliefs because he knew they would be used

against him because he was in the public eye. According to Perry (2006), Jefferson kept his

religious views to himself most of his political life, his enemies were quick to distort them in the

public square”(p.184). After much scrutiny it is said that Jefferson was indeed a Deist. “As a

Deist, Jefferson believed in God, whom he described as, “the creator and benevolent governor of

the world”(Perry, 2006, p.185). According to Perry (2006), “Jefferson also considered himself a

Christian” (p.185).

Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a Swiss born philosopher, writer, and political

theorist whose treaties and novels inspired leaders of the French Revolution and the romantic

generation” (Wikipedia 2018). Magee (2016 states, “Rousseau was the first Western philosopher

to insist that our judgements should be based on the requirements of feeling rather than reason”

(p.126).

Rousseau believed that human beings were born good but were corrupted by the

experience of growing up in a society (Magee, 2016, p. 127). According to Rousseau, “but a

child growing up in a so called-civilized society is taught to curb and frustrate his natural

instincts, repress his true feelings, impose the artificial categories of conceptual thinking on his

emotions”(Magee, 2016, p. 127). In other words someone being taught to pretend to feel a

certain way even if that is not how they truly feel. Rousseau believed this act was how the spirit

becomes corrupt. According to Bellah (1998), “Rousseau wondered whether Christianity could

ever create good citizens” (p.193).

Charleta Moore 4
Dr. Alec Thomson
History 151
7 July 2018

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705][1] – April 17, 1790) was an

American polymath, leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster,

scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat and a Founding Father of the

United States”(Wikipedia, 2018).

It has not been confirmed exactly what Benjamin Franklins religion was. Was he a

Christian, a Catholic, a Deist, an Atheist or was he into Hinduism? According to Morgan (2000),

“The fact that no one to this day is quite sure of Franklins religious beliefs, he believed that the

Christian religion inspired many Americans to be good citizens; moreover, their faith comforted

them in times of crisis and gave them strength” (p.723). It is documented that Franklin was not

biased to any and all religions. “Franklin treated all religions alike, making him in all probability

the first American champion of generic religion” (Morgan, 2000, p.723).

Charleta Moore 5
Dr. Alec Thomson
History 151
7 July 2018

Works Cited

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Jacques-Rousseau

https://www.britannica.com/topic/empiricism

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaire

Magee, B. (2016). The Story of Philosophy. New York: Dorling, Kindersley Publishing

Annotated Bibliography
Charleta Moore 6
Dr. Alec Thomson
History 151
7 July 2018

Religion and Legitimization in the American Republic (1998). Society, Vol. 35 (2), pp. 193-201.

The premise of this article is a discussion of the conflict between church and state. The

article discusses the role of religion and Christianity in the American Republic. This article was

very informative. This was peer reviewed article. This source was helpful in regards to providing

background information on the legitimization of religion in the U.S.

Benjamin Franklin: Champion of Generic Religion (2000). Historian, Vol 62 (4), pp.723-730.

This article expounds on A little history of Benjamin Franklin’s views on all religions.

This article was decent in length. This article had some detailed information and some really

interesting insight that pertains to the author’s conceptualization of Benjamin Franklin’s

viewpoint. This was an peer reviewed article. The content of the article was useful in regards to

shedding light on an area of Benjamin Franklins open viewpoint of all religions.

Jefferson’s Legacy to the Supreme Court: Freedom of Religion (2006). Journal of Supreme Court

History, Vol.31 (2), pp. 181-198

This article is about Thomas Jefferson’s life as a child through adulthood. The author

expounds on Jefferson’s religious upbringing and religious choice as an adult. This was a very

informative article and helpful in terms of information on Deism and Jefferson’s beliefs. This

was a peer reviewed article.

Reflections of Moral Decline in America; Consulting the Founding Fathers Views on the Roles

of Church and State in Crafting the Good Society (2000), Journal of Church and State, Vol.42

(2), pp. 237-245

Charleta Moore 7
Dr. Alec Thomson
History 151
7 July 2018

This article was not very helpful in terms of information regarding Deism. It did have detailed

information regarding John Locke. This was a peer reviewed article.