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Did famous historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin subscribe to Deism?

Annabel Novis

Hey there! Interesting question you've got there. To answer it, I need to dive a bit into history, but I'll keep it short and sweet.

So, Deism was a popular philosophy during the Enlightenment period in Europe and America. It basically postulated that there was a supreme being or force that created the universe, but then stepped back and let everything run according to natural laws. Deists did not believe in miracles, divine revelations or religious dogmas. They favored reason, science and ethics over traditional religious practices.

Now, to the question of whether Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were Deists: the answer is yes, they were. Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, was a strong supporter of Deism. He famously edited the Bible to remove all the supernatural elements, leaving only the moral teachings of Jesus. Jefferson believed in a "natural religion" that was based on reason, morality, and philanthropy. He rejected the Trinity, the divinity of Christ and other orthodox doctrines.

Franklin, on the other hand, was less vocal about his Deist beliefs, but he did write about them in his autobiography. He described how he became disillusioned with the dogmatic rituals of his Puritan upbringing and turned to Deism instead. He rejected organized religion, but still believed in a creator god who set the universe in motion and endowed humans with reason and conscience. Franklin's Deism was more pragmatic and less philosophical than Jefferson's.

Both Jefferson and Franklin were influential figures in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. Their Deistic views influenced their political beliefs, such as the separation of church and state, religious tolerance, and freedom of conscience. They believed that reason and science could improve society and that people should use their intelligence to find truth and happiness.

So, there you have it. Jefferson and Franklin were Deists, and their Deism played a role in shaping American democracy and culture. It just goes to show that even famous historical figures can have unorthodox beliefs. Thanks for asking!