❖ Deism: A Rebellion Against Revelation and Reason-Based Theology ❖
✍ Written by: Bassam Zawadi
Deism formally began in the late 17th century, though some thinkers claim it to be the oldest religion in the world
(Voltaire, 1972, p. 386). Others assert that the first human was born as a Deist
(Paine, 1892, p. 68).
The roots of this ideology can be traced to the concepts of divinity in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the ideas of Plato and Aristotle, rather than Christian religious doctrines
(Davis, 1983, p. 148).
During the Middle Ages, Islamic scholars rejected the general tenets of Deism
(Zouggar, 2012).
However, in the late 17th century, Deism emerged in Britain as a structured intellectual movement.
✔ Deism emerged as a significant intellectual branch of the Enlightenment
(Beiser, 1996, p. 220).
✔ Westphal (2010, p. 134) described it as “the religion of the Enlightenment.”
✔ In England, due to the Church's rigidity, corruption, and intolerance, young thinkers—exposed to various religions during foreign travels—began to embrace Deist ideas
(Wigelsworth, 2009, p. 27).
By the end of the 18th century, Deism had become especially popular among the educated class, rising as a major intellectual rival to Christianity
(Morais, 1932, pp. 436 & 452–453; Gorham, 2013, p. 126; Herrick, 2014, p. 2).
To understand Deism, it is essential to explore some foundational questions:
① What is God’s power and role in the universe?
② Does God have expectations from His creation?
③ What is the reality of revelation and miracles?
④ What is the value of ethics and worship?
⑤ What is God’s justice after death?
✔ Most Deists agree that God created the universe and left it to operate under self-governing laws, without any further intervention
(Orr, 1934, p. 13).
✔ Thus, God is referred to as the “Supreme Watchmaker”—one who created an automated system and then let it run on its own
(Miller, 1996, p. 128; Gould, 2005, p. 463).
✔ In Deism, revelation is generally rejected, as Deists believe God has endowed human beings with reason, which is sufficient for the search for truth
(Westphal, 2010, p. 134).
✔ Thomas Paine considered religion to be the root of humanity’s suffering
(1892, p. 176).
✔ Some Deists believe that God is infinitely good and the highest Judge
(Mossner, 2006, p. 688).
✔ Thinkers like Voltaire, however, questioned God's goodness and viewed Him as a “neutral yet intelligent entity”
(Mori, 2018, pp. 328–329).
✔ Some Deists see worship as unnecessary, since God has no desire for it
(Love, 2008, p. 64).
✔ However, others acknowledge the value of prayer and worship
(Lucci & Wigelsworth, 2015, p. 168).
✔ Most Deists reject the concept of divine accountability after death, as they do not believe in a God who instills fear or imposes punishment
(Manuel, 1983, p. 34).
✔ Nonetheless, some thinkers do believe in an afterlife, maintaining that God rewards or punishes based on human deeds
(Viney, 2010, p. 86).
Despite differences among Deists, they largely agree on a few fundamental points:
✔ God created the universe but does not play an active role in it.
✔ Religious beliefs and ethics should be based solely on reason, not revelation.
According to Westphal (2010, p. 134), Deism rests on three core principles:
① Autonomy of human reason
② Religious tolerance
③ Anti-religious sentiment
Deism is a complex intellectual movement with multiple schools of thought.
Its core premise is that God created the universe but does not intervene in it.
Deism insists that human beings should rely on reason rather than revelation for their beliefs and ethics.
✍ Written by: Bassam Zawadi
✦ Origins and Evolution of Deism ✦
Deism formally began in the late 17th century, though some thinkers claim it to be the oldest religion in the world
(Voltaire, 1972, p. 386). Others assert that the first human was born as a Deist
(Paine, 1892, p. 68).
The roots of this ideology can be traced to the concepts of divinity in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the ideas of Plato and Aristotle, rather than Christian religious doctrines
(Davis, 1983, p. 148).
During the Middle Ages, Islamic scholars rejected the general tenets of Deism
(Zouggar, 2012).
However, in the late 17th century, Deism emerged in Britain as a structured intellectual movement.
◈ The Influence of the Enlightenment ◈
✔ Deism emerged as a significant intellectual branch of the Enlightenment
(Beiser, 1996, p. 220).
✔ Westphal (2010, p. 134) described it as “the religion of the Enlightenment.”
✔ In England, due to the Church's rigidity, corruption, and intolerance, young thinkers—exposed to various religions during foreign travels—began to embrace Deist ideas
(Wigelsworth, 2009, p. 27).
By the end of the 18th century, Deism had become especially popular among the educated class, rising as a major intellectual rival to Christianity
(Morais, 1932, pp. 436 & 452–453; Gorham, 2013, p. 126; Herrick, 2014, p. 2).
❀ Core Concepts of Deism ❀
To understand Deism, it is essential to explore some foundational questions:
① What is God’s power and role in the universe?
② Does God have expectations from His creation?
③ What is the reality of revelation and miracles?
④ What is the value of ethics and worship?
⑤ What is God’s justice after death?
1. God’s Power and His Role in the Universe
✔ Most Deists agree that God created the universe and left it to operate under self-governing laws, without any further intervention
(Orr, 1934, p. 13).
✔ Thus, God is referred to as the “Supreme Watchmaker”—one who created an automated system and then let it run on its own
(Miller, 1996, p. 128; Gould, 2005, p. 463).
2. Stance on Revelation and Heavenly Religions
✔ In Deism, revelation is generally rejected, as Deists believe God has endowed human beings with reason, which is sufficient for the search for truth
(Westphal, 2010, p. 134).
✔ Thomas Paine considered religion to be the root of humanity’s suffering
(1892, p. 176).
3. God’s Moral Character in Deist Perspective
✔ Some Deists believe that God is infinitely good and the highest Judge
(Mossner, 2006, p. 688).
✔ Thinkers like Voltaire, however, questioned God's goodness and viewed Him as a “neutral yet intelligent entity”
(Mori, 2018, pp. 328–329).
4. View on Worship
✔ Some Deists see worship as unnecessary, since God has no desire for it
(Love, 2008, p. 64).
✔ However, others acknowledge the value of prayer and worship
(Lucci & Wigelsworth, 2015, p. 168).
5. Perspective on Divine Justice and the Afterlife
✔ Most Deists reject the concept of divine accountability after death, as they do not believe in a God who instills fear or imposes punishment
(Manuel, 1983, p. 34).
✔ Nonetheless, some thinkers do believe in an afterlife, maintaining that God rewards or punishes based on human deeds
(Viney, 2010, p. 86).
✦ A Minimal Definition of Deism ✦
Despite differences among Deists, they largely agree on a few fundamental points:
✔ God created the universe but does not play an active role in it.
✔ Religious beliefs and ethics should be based solely on reason, not revelation.
According to Westphal (2010, p. 134), Deism rests on three core principles:
① Autonomy of human reason
② Religious tolerance
③ Anti-religious sentiment
✦ Conclusion ✦
Deism is a complex intellectual movement with multiple schools of thought.
Its core premise is that God created the universe but does not intervene in it.
Deism insists that human beings should rely on reason rather than revelation for their beliefs and ethics.
