Deism is an unorganized religion based on belief in a divine power. Early deists looked to science and believed in intelligent design, but not necessarily in miracles or organized religion. Deists have been influential in American politics and value freedom of religion. The modern deist has an individualized view of a higher power and may not attend church.
Deism is a belief in a divine power and a form of unorganized religion. The first deist in England is often thought to be Lord Herbert of Cherbury, who formulated in the 17th century that there was a supreme power, it was to be worshipped, to receive offerings of penance, and that there was a lasting kingdom after death. Lord Herbert, however, avoided more organized forms of religion and relied instead on reason.
The early deist looked to fundamental science and believed that the miracles of this world could not have been created without a divine presence. Others had no difficulty believing the concept of evolution, since they didn’t rely on the creation stories of major religions. In fact, nearly all such believers embrace evolution wholeheartedly as it is considered a reasonable explanation for how people came to Earth.
However, a deist does not believe that creation exists without intelligent design, although intelligent design theory may not be an adequate explanation for some people. Some see their conception of a higher power as the one that gave birth to creation and has since assumed a highly impersonal role in human affairs. Others feel that a concept of God may occasionally produce miracles or work in small ways in people’s lives, but that these works are not adequately comprehensible to reason.
In fact, one of the hardest things to do is define what a believer thinks, since the foundation of deism is a respect for a highly individualized view of a higher power. Individual visions of a God are reasoned, as nearly all people who share this religion believe that reason is the greatest gift from the creator.
Deists have been very influential in American politics, as many of the founding fathers of the United States can be considered part of this group. These include Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison, and George Washington is usually included as well. Particular emphasis for those who hold this belief is the practice of freedom of religion, which allows individuals to have their own concept of divine power. Furthermore, the individual is permitted to worship as he sees fit.
The modern deist can pray, or he can choose not to. Some believe in an apocryphal end of the earth, while others don’t. Some believe in the mysterious workings of a divine power that cannot be understood, while others see supreme power as impersonal. Some argue that a view of an impersonal divine power amounts to atheism, or often leads people to conclude that such power does not exist.
Because the world doesn’t always work rationally, many believe that deism was directly responsible for a disenchantment that led to atheism. Others had their beliefs shaken by the lack of divine activity in the face of the many evils on earth.
Understandably, the deist may not have a church to attend, since this form of religion means so many things to different people. Some may worship in several churches or claim valid sacred texts from many different religions. Those who believe in a monotheistic deity often feel that this type of worship constitutes pantheism. The deist probably cares little about criticism, since he doesn’t expect others to have the same conception of a higher power.
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