Most authors consider natural religion as not only the foundation of monotheistic religions such as judaism, christianity, and islam but also distinct from them. Natural religion and deism in america before ethan allen and thomas paine a. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. In it, hume contends that polytheism, not monotheism, was the first and most ancient religion of mankind. Deists believe in the existence of god, on purely rational grounds, without any reliance on revealed religion, religious authority, or holy text. According to some authors, aspects of natural religion are found universally among all peoples, often in such forms of shamanism and animism. This post is part of my series of reflections on david fergussons book creation. That is like haveing an anthology of the american founding period and leaving out the declaration of independence. A source book milestones of thought hardcover 1967 by e. In its implications for deism, the natural history of religion 1757 may be humes most interesting work. Deism, liberal protestantism or natural religion the muslim times. In general, deism refers to what can be called natural religion, the acceptance of a certain body of religious knowledge that is inborn in every person or that can be acquired by the use of reason and the rejection of religious knowledge when it is acquired through either revelation or the teaching of any church. Deals with the manifestation of the controversy over deism in england, where it arose as a distinctive part of the social and intellectual atmosphere of the time. From citizendium, the citizens compendium deism, and leave out the founding father of the movement is crazy.
Deism today is sometimes defined as a religion of reason and nature, period. Houston very professionally demystifies the bible by giving details of its origin. His skepticism about miracles makes him a natural ally of deism, but in his natural history of religion 1757, he contends that polytheism, not monotheism, was the first and most ancient religion of mankind and that the psychological basis of religion is not reason, but fear of the unknown. Deism is a natural and rational bridge that unites our reason to our belief in god. The word deism is derived from the latin word for god. God is viewed as merely the first cause and underlying principle of rationality in the universe. Principles of nature makes no claim to originality, and palmer freely cites some of the sources of his ideas. Deism and natural religion a source book waring, e. Bornagain deist is a superbly written and brutally honest work. Corbett and corbett 1999 cite john adams and thomas jefferson as exemplars.
The book offers extensive insight into palmers beliefs. Buy a cheap copy of deism and natural religion a source. Of the religion of deism compared with the christian religion. Deism natural religion abebooks shop for books, art. Boyle lectures cause christ christian church clear and distinct common consequence consider contrary conyers middleton corrupt dead deism deists dence discourse distinct ideas doctrines duty eternal evidence faculties faith fathers founded fraud freethinking. Deism enlightened emptiness deism is the belief in a supreme being, who remains unknowable and untouchable. Natural religion and deism in america before ethan allen. This book, written in a concise and cogent style, introduces the reader to deism, a way of life that is free of the old conflicts between reason and religion. It refers to a deist who believes in the moral teachingsbut not divinityof jesus. David hartley, for example, described himself as quite in the necessitarian scheme. Deism project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. Graham waring frederick ungar, 1967 the american deists. Deism, english internet encyclopedia of philosophy.
The wonderful structure of the universe, and everything we behold in the system of the creation, prove to us, far better than books can do, the existence of a god. Because of this, deism is quite different from religions like judaism, christianity and islam. Deists believe in a god of nature a noninterventionist creator who permits the universe to run itself according to natural laws. Day five in the genesis account was devoted to populating the seas and the sky. Christian deism, in the philosophy of religion, is a standpoint that branches from christianity.
The legacy of deism by byrne, peter and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The whole being an easie introduction to that necessary. In general, deism refers to what can be called natural religion, the. The vast majority of deists said natural religion was the true religion and. Deism defined, welcome to deism, deist glossary and frequently. Lalor, stephen continuum international publishing group ltd. A revolution in religion a revolution in you by bob johnson, there is a god. Deism and the founding of the united states, divining america. Owen aldridge t 1imothy dwight in i803 recorded his opinion that ethan allens reason the only oracle of man 1784 was the first formal publication in the united states openly directed against the christian religion. Walters university of kansas press, 1992, which includes an extensive bibliographic essay. Graham waring, england, locke, berkeley, butler, hume. This is the origin of moral obligation and accountability, which is called natural religion, in reason the only oracle facsimile edition, new york, i940, i86.
The american deists 1992 which remains the best book on the subject. Deism is the philosophical position that rejects revelation as a source of. Deism, liberal protestantism or natural religion the. Between religion thus naturally explained and a prophetic and christian revelation. Ive just realized there are seven chapters in the book. Natural religion and deism in america before ethan allen jstor. With a general account of ancient and modern exceptions relating to sceptiscism, deism.
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