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Deism Revisited: a Modern Approach Tina Johnson Department of Biology; College of Arts and Sciences Abilene Christian University

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Deism Revisited: a Modern Approach Tina Johnson Department of Biology; College of Arts and Sciences Abilene Christian University Deism Dialogue & Nexus | Fall 2015-Spring 2016 |Volume 3 Deism Revisited: A Modern Approach Tina Johnson Department of Biology; College of Arts and Sciences Abilene Christian University An evaluation of the history of Deism and its modern counterpart, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, in light of Theistic Naturalism is done in order to place the several forms of deism into a proper context in modern society. My hoped for outcome is that perhaps we can view Deism as a progressive rather than an archaic belief system that still has a purpose in American religious culture. Within American society, there is a contemporary society, shaping American diversity in religious thought. Christians, religious identity. As such, Deism should be Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and those acknowledged rather than dismissed. with no religious affiliation at all are a few Moreover, by fully analyzing the of the worldviews that make up our Deistic movement, we can add to our own heterogeneous society. All of these theological understanding and practice. worldviews have slightly different ways of approaching ontological issues such as the Rise of Deism nature of the soul and humanity’s In order to fully understand the origination and purpose. Even within the Deistic movement, one needs to be aware of Christian faith alone, one can observe the cultural and historical shifts occurring pluralistic thought, evidenced by the within the period. The rise of the plethora of denominations. These groups Enlightenment, for instance, paralleled the vary in their scriptural interpretations, rise of Deism and created an environment religious traditions as well as doctrine. where the philosophy could thrive. For instance, consideration of divine Beginning in 17th century Europe, providence in Calvinism holds that God has philosophers began giving precedence to a set plan for our lives, directly acting in our human reason over the supernatural. For world to guide us along the way. However, example, through his theory of gravity, Isaac other denominations view God’s actions Newton demonstrated that there was an more loosely and indirectly, incorporating order to the universe—an order that could be notions such as free will and chance. At the understood primarily through human reason. far end of this philosophical spectrum is Newton’s discoveries prompted other Deism. Deism, a historic derivative of the scholars to investigate new ideas and Christian faith, maintains that God created question long held assumptions through the the world but lets it run its course. lens of reason, even outside of the scientific Consequently, God maintains a realm. It was this line of thinking that led passive role in our affairs, instead allowing scholars to question the authority and natural laws to maintain structure in the teachings of the Church, which eventually universe. While some view this perspective paved the way for the Deistic movement.1 as insignificant or even blasphemous, this While Deism is traditionally associated with viewpoint still remains relevant in our the Enlightenment, as described above, 1 “Enlightenment, Age of,” 2015 Dialogue & Nexus | Fall 2015-Spring 2016 |Volume 3 1 Deism Dialogue & Nexus | Fall 2015-Spring 2016 |Volume 3 several other events also prompted its rise. themselves were insignificant. It is not The Reformation, although two centuries surprising then that most Deists, including removed from the Deistic movement, still Herbert, were opposed to religious fostered Deistic thought by weakening the intolerance and persecution. Many even authority of the Catholic Church. Religious believed that Christianity itself did not hold authority was no longer infallible, which “unique moral authority.”6 Following opened the way for religious exploration. Herbert, other scholars began professing Thus, the Reformation promoted the rise of similar religious sentiments. Notably, in pluralism within the Christian faith, and 1730, Matthew Tindal published more denominations brought more diversity. Christianity as Old as Creation, also known In the 17th century, the Glorious Revolution as the “Bible of Deism.”7 In it, he expands similarly introduced new, radical religious on Herbert’s tenets, again emphasizing the and political ideas with the dethroning of importance of human reason. Furthermore, James II. Additionally, the new monarchy Tindal explicitly attacks the authority of the weakened censorship laws, allowing for Church. Priests, he argues, abuse their further religious expression.2, 3 Combined, position to gain power and respect; their these movements created a culture for authority is founded on superstition rather Deistic thinking to thrive. than reason.8 Many Deistic thinkers, such as Deism itself began in the mid-17th Thomas Woolston, also rejected literal century with the English nobleman Lord interpretations of the Bible in favor of more Herbert of Cherbury. In his works, Herbert reasoned approaches. Rather than neither referred to himself as a Deist nor emphasizing Jesus’ miracles, Deistic intended to spearhead a new religious thinkers focused on his moral teachings. movement. Nonetheless, he laid the Along these same lines, many considered foundations for Deism through his novel Jesus a moral teacher akin to Buddha or religious beliefs. Per Enlightenment thought, Muhammad rather than the Son of God. This Herbert believed that every individual was divinity arose from Church doctrine rather born with an innate sense of reason. Using than natural religion.9 While modern reason alone, one could come to understand audiences might find these views the principal religious truths and reject false incompatible with the Christian faith, this teachings.4, 5 More specifically, Herbert thinking fit well within the Deistic proposed that all individuals were born framework. Most Deists viewed God more knowing five central truths: the need to as a “Great Watchmaker” rather than a believe in God, the need to worship God, the figure intimately involved with everyday need to live a moral life, the need to repent life.10 from one’s sins, and the knowledge of an Outside of Europe, Deism spread afterlife with repercussions for our Earthy quickly to the American colonies where it actions. To Herbert, all religious teachings took on new form. American Deism essentially boiled down to these key ideas. emphasized God through the natural world, Thus, differences between religious especially given the vast American expanse. denominations and even between religions These Deists believed God created the 2 Curry, 2010, pp. 207-215 7 Op. cit. 5, p. 26 3 Manuel & Palin, 2015 8 Op. cit. 2, pp 211-229 4 Ibid. 9 Op. cit. 3. 5 Dulles, 2005, p. 25 10 Taylor, 2005, pp. 462-3 6 Op. cit. 2. Dialogue & Nexus | Fall 2015-Spring 2016 |Volume 3 2 Deism Dialogue & Nexus | Fall 2015-Spring 2016 |Volume 3 natural world and bestowed it upon divine intervention. As previously humanity. With our God given reason, we mentioned, Deists believed that God created could use the land for our own benefit. the world but does not actively intervene in Additionally, Deists held that the universe its affairs. However, if God had the power functions through the mechanistic natural and motivation to create the world, why laws established by God. By studying the would he choose to stand by as an onlooker? natural world, humans could begin to To many audiences, this type of distant God understand both creation and their creator.11 seemed unnecessary and unattractive; such a Deism was especially influential among God would neither respond to prayer nor American political figures—especially intervene on others’ behalf. Thus, as a Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. religious institution, Deism lost its footings Jefferson, particularly, espoused Deistic in society and quickly fell into obscurity.13 beliefs. For example, he advocated for How, then, is Deism relevant in religious freedom and separation of Church modern society? Outside of history and and state. He even composed a “Jeffersonian philosophy classes, most Americans are Bible,” a text that omitted all of the unfamiliar with the Deistic movement, let miraculous events of the New Testament to alone America’s Deistic roots. There is no focus on Jesus’ moral teachings.12 established “Church of Deism”—or Despite its influence, the Deistic anything of the like. In fact, the only movement began to decline in the early to organized Deist groups currently in mid-19th century. Scholars attribute this fall existence are merely offshoots on Internet to a number of different factors. During this forums and blogs. If anything, we can period, Christianity experienced establish that few people, if any, explicitly revitalization throughout America and label themselves as “Deists.” Despite this, Europe with the second Great Awakening. remnants of Deism and Deistic thinking are This revival shifted religion away from rampant throughout American society. For reason and towards emotion and the the many Americans that practice religious supernatural; audiences now expected a tolerance, many do not find authority in the message of love and hope. Without the Church and reject supernatural occurrences appeal to reason, Deism lost much of its in their day-to-day lives. One could argue support. Additionally, Deism attracted many these attitudes did not originate from Deism followers by attacking the authority of but rather from scientific and societal shifts. religious institutions, which Deists believed However, as Steven Waldman of The Wall abused their power and corrupted religious Street Journal notes, Americans are truth. However, as time progressed, increasingly distancing themselves from churches generally became less tied with religion; in one recent survey, as many as political institutions and oppression. They 15% of respondents professed no religious also became less associated with tyranny affiliation. While some of these religious and persecution, as more denominations “Nones”—as they are often referred to— accepted the principles of religious rejected a divine creator, half of this group tolerance. Through this shift, Deism became expressed a belief in God. And a quarter of a less unique and attractive philosophy. these respondents believed in a distant God.
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