Deism For Youth
Man in picture is Thomas Paine,
a leader of the Revolution, and devout deist.
What is Deism?
Deism is a very unique religion.
It is a natural religion as opposed to a revealed religion like christianity. Christianity is allegedly revealed to us
through the word of god, or the Bible. That fact that deism is based on the laws of nature, logic, and miracle of our own existance rather than a holy book or the teachings of a man
is what makes it a natural religion. Deism teaches us that logic and reason will lead us to god, not revelation or faith.
The deist belief was probably best summed up by Voltaire: "What is faith? Is it to believe that which is evident? No. It is perfectly evident to my mind that there exists a necessary, eternal, supreme, and intelligent being. This is no matter of faith, but of reason."
Deists believe that a god created the universe, set it in motion, then left his creations (that's us) to figure out things on their own.
Famous American deists
Benjamin Franklin
"Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."
Thomas Jefferson
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if
there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear."
James Madison
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits?
More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity;
in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution."
George Washington
"The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remainan eternal and awful monument to prove that
the best Institutions may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances, be made
subservient to the vilest of purposes."
Albert Einstein
"That deeply emotional conviction of the presence of a superior
reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God."
John Adams
"The doctrine of the divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity"
