Deist Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was not a man of great faith, but did think of himself as religious (Franklin 144-145). He believed that their was a Deity that made the world, the soul was immortal, all good deeds are rewarded either "here or hereafter", and Franklin believed those beliefs were the core of all religions (Franklin 145). Because he believed the aforementioned things are involved in all religions, he tolerated all of America's religions. Franklin is an excellent example of a Deist because his beliefs hold true with the definition of Deism: "holding the belief that God is consistent with human reason, but not with the beliefs of specific religions that claim truth on the basis of divine revelation" (Quinn). Franklin never mentioned anything about reincarnation, God interfering with everyday lives, God using people to show His great powers, or Jesus living on through or inside of people (Christian belief), but based off the Autobiography. Franklin did mention that the people he wanted to model himself after were Jesus and Socrates (Franklin 150). He did not say the son of God, Jesus Christ. Franklin just said the man Jesus which reinforces that Franklin was a Deist.

Through Deistic beliefs, Franklin better himself with a Book of Virtues. Each of the thirteen virtues helped him become a better person in all aspects of his life. Deists had to create their own standard of living as they believed that God had not and will not interfere with the Earth and He did not put a model of behavior on the planet (Deists believed that Jesus was just a man, a great man, but flesh and blood regardless) to base their lives upon (Imbarrato). Franklin chose thirteen virtues that he need to either work on personally or knew that those were things that every man should strive to exemplify (Franklin 150-151). Using those virtues Franklin made himself a better person, but not because some God or Goddess told him too. He did it purely for himself. Franklin included a prayer to God in his Book of Virtues to help to keep him on the right track (Franklin 155). He did so because Deists believe that God created the world and then left it be in a sort of watchmaker like effect (Imbarrato). In being the Creator, God is all powerful and all knowing. That is why Franklin wrote a prayer asking for His wisdom and strength as he goes on a journey to better himself with his virtue system (Franklin 155).

In a different part of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin states that he was raised as a Presbyterian, but found their beliefs of "the eternal decree of God, election, reprobation, etc" "unintelligible" and questionable (Franklin 144). It was at that point in his life that Franklin became a Deist and started contemplating how to make his life more productive and better in a general sense. The switch in view points showed Franklin's open mind. He was not only able to physically change his way of living, but also kept an open and tolerant mind toward people who did not share the same beliefs.


Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Henry Altemus, 1895. Print.

Imbarrato, Susan Clair, and Carol Berkin. "Deism." Encyclopedia of American Literature, Revised Edition: Settlement to the New Republic, 1608–1815, vol. 1, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web 25. Oct. 2011.

Quinn, Edward. "Deism." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web 25. Oct. 2011.