Comment by Dave G on December 16, 2009 at 1:39am

Pretty much, Gaytor.

Comment by Corey Lord on December 16, 2009 at 11:16am

Well said.

Comment by Shine on December 16, 2009 at 11:22am

Great point about the historical function of deism as a transitory phase of civilization's progression through belief systems. Today, we still see this often reflected in many people's gradual transitions from theism to atheism. Deism is nice interlude.

Comment by Johnny on December 16, 2009 at 12:18pm

Well said Gator. I've often argued that deists before the current scientific-age would be atheists by today's standards; or become full atheists if exposed to today's science.

I've had a few conversations with one of my distance cousins who self-identifies as an "agnostic deist." He thinks the Genesis story provides good allegory for what might have happened; and he subscribes to the general principles of Intelligent Design. Basically that science has the big bang, abiogenesis, and evolution correct; just that their was some higher being nudging things along. But he's right in our camp when it comes to his views on how ridiculous religion, the church, its dogma and doctrines, and especially their portrayal of "God."

Comment by Ryan_For_Reason on December 16, 2009 at 1:49pm

Outstanding Gaytor (and the rest of you). I've had many from the religious right tell me "this country was founded by the religious right." Although I knew Jefferson certainly had his criticisms of organized religion, I did not realize that many of the founding fathers were deists. I know have the proper vocabulary to structure a response.

Comment by Wendy on December 17, 2009 at 6:03am

Johnny - I call that the "God as Rube Goldberg" approach :)

Comment by Larche Osborne on December 20, 2009 at 11:07am

I believe Jefferson, Madison, and Lincoln were all deists to some degree, and I readily agree this those who suggest they would be atheists today.

Comment by Johnny on April 4, 2010 at 9:24am

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