Belief Systems of the Founding Fathers

A few words about the belief systems of our founding fathers on Independence Day. 

 

Quite a few of them - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, James Madison, Ethan Allen and James Monroe - practiced a faith called Deism. 

 

That’s right - they were Deists. 

 

Deism is grounded in the philosophical belief that human reason is a reliable means of solving social and political problems. In lieu of relying-upon divine revelation Deists believed that religious truth should also be subject to the authority and influence of human reason.  And as a consequence they do not believe that the bible is the revealed word of God and they rejected scripture as a source of religious doctrine.  

 

Many of the founding fathers were also practicing Christians. They retained a supernaturalist world view, a belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ, and an adherence to the teachings of their denomination.  Among them are Patrick Henry, John Jay, and Samuel Adams. 

 

And like in all belief systems that are matters of degree. So there are Founders who fall into the category of Christian Deists. Washington is included in this group and his dedication to Christianity was clear in his own mind - Deist beliefs notwithstanding. These believers made use of Deistic terms for God but sometimes added a Christian dimension—such as Merciful Providence and Divine Goodness.  Yet these Founders did not move further into orthodoxy to solely employ the traditional language of Christian piety. 

 

Founders who remained unaffected by Deism or who like John Adams became conservative Unitarians and made use of terminology that clearly conveyed their orthodoxy - Savior, Redeemer, and Resurrected Christ.

 

Happy Independence Day and keep our great country in your prayers.