It is most often claimed that Benjamin Franklin was a Deist, and he certainly was for a while. He is most famously quoted for saying,
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Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of the sermons which had been preached at Boyle’s Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them. For the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to be much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.
But people tend to hear what they want to hear. Those who wish to claim Franklin, a favorite and famous founder, as a Deist stop quoting right here. Franklin's autobiography, however, goes on to say,
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My arguments perverted some others, particularly Collins and Ralph; but each of these having wronged me greatly without the least compunction, and recollecting Keith’s conduct towards me (who was another freethinker), and my own towards Vernon and Miss Read, which at times gave me great trouble, I began to suspect that this doctrine, though it might be true, was not very useful.
I would have to agree with Franklin in one respect. Merely believing in God based on reason is not enough. Unless Deism has meaning for us in our lives, it is indeed not very useful. I heard someone note on another board that arguing over definitions was not very interesting. If Deism is not a matter of the spirit, what good is it?
I find the lack of guilt, the feeling of freedom and the sense of awe and wonder that Deism inspires in me to be far superior to any prior religious experience. Deism is a celebration of nature. How could anything be more spiritual? What could be more inspiring?
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