Deism (Noun)
Meaning
The form of theological rationalism that believes in God on the basis of reason without reference to revelation.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason led many thinkers to adopt deism as a way to reconcile faith and science.
- During the American colonial period, deists, who believed in a creator God through reason alone, played a significant role in shaping the country's intellectual landscape.
- Many of the Founding Fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were influenced by deism, which they saw as a middle ground between traditional Christianity and atheism.
- Deism's focus on reason and observation led its adherents to question the miracles and supernatural events described in the Bible.
- Despite its emphasis on individual rationality, deism has historically been criticized for its perceived lack of emotional and communal aspects in worship.