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History/Founder/
important persons/saints:
Deism
is a philosophy more than a religion, and as such has no founder. However,
the consensus is that The French Enlightenment philosophers Rousseau
and Voltaire, as well as the English philosophers John Locke and William
Tindal, were among the most influential in the Deist movement. Baron
de Montesquieu, another enlightenment philosopher, provided the prototype
for the seperation of powers that became the basis for the US system
of Government.
Current
leader/governing body: None, although there are still a few loosely organized
Deist groups scattered throughout the country.
Number
of Adherents: Unknown.
Clergy: None, Deists do not actively worship, and therefore have no clergy.
Requirements
to join: None.
Scripture:
None, Deists eschew so-called
'revealed' religions and any products thereof.
Required
observances, dietary restrictions: None.
Code
of Conduct: Deists generally
believe that one is rewarded or punished in the afterlife according
to one's behavior in life, but opinions vary as to what behavior is
expected. Deism is largely humanistic in the sense that one is expected
to treat others with dignity and respect, and that one is prohibited
from harming or restricting the rights and and freedoms of another.
Holidays:
None.
Basic
teachings and Beliefs: Deists
believe that God is the creator of the universe, the architect of natural
order, and the grantor of human rights, but that he does not interfere
with humanity, or favor one person or nation over another. Deist
belief eschews all elements of 'revealed' religion- that is, and religious
laws or revelations offered by prophets or priests. Deists do not accept
the idea of avatars or incarnated deities.
Symbols:
None.
Famous
Deists include many of the
American founding fathers, with Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin,
Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine,
James
Madison, and Ethan Allen among the most well known. Deism was a motivating
factor in the American revolution, fueling many of the ideas of personal
freedom and seperation of powers inherent in our system of government.
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