Atheism Has No Basis for the Idea of Good or Evil, Just or Unjust 240215
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ding Feb’24 Sahnbf: Correct. The law of nature aka the moral law aka the law of right and wrong is innate. It's the basis for inalienable rights. That there are natural rights that exist that are beyond man's authority to redefine them as he wishes. It's literally the basis of the Declaration of Independence.
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Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson were considered to be atheists by churched Christians of their time who held fast and accepted only truth channeled through the supernatural eternal salvation magic found in the unique sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, born of a Virgin, who could turn water into wine, and rise from being dead for a few days but had to float up into a place called heaven before disappearing for 2024 years now. But when you believe this story you are the only truly GOOD humans on the PLANET because everyone else is EVIL .
America was founded as an enlightened multicultural Nation 200218
ding said: Can you show me a similar example of the so called deism culture?
nfbw 200218 Sawfaa00035 #35 reply to #39 yes. The Declaration of Independence with ‘ Nature’s God’ referenced.
The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.
Allen, Ethan.
Reason, the Only Oracle of Man: Or, A Compenduous System of Natural Religion Boston: JP Mendum, 1854. A book by Ethan Allen
“While Christians and Enlightenment philosophers each had faith, the nature of their respective faiths differed. Christians emphasized faith in Scripture while philosophes put their faith in science, nature’s God, and secular progress (natural theologians bridged the gap between them). “
7 Enlightenment & Great Awakening | History Hub
Enlightenment Religion
“But the widespread existence in 18th-century America of a school of religious thought called
Deism complicates the actual beliefs of the Founders. Drawing from the scientific and philosophical work of such figures as
Jean-Jacques Rousseau,
Isaac Newton, and
John Locke, Deists argued that human experience and rationality—rather than religious dogma and mystery—determine the validity of human beliefs. In his widely read
The Age of Reason,
Thomas Paine, the principal American exponent of Deism, called Christianity “a fable.”
Paine, the protégé of
Benjamin Franklin, denied “that the Almighty ever did communicate anything to man, by…speech,…language, or…vision.”
Postulating a distant deity whom he called “Nature’s God” (a term also used in the Declaration of Independence), Paine declared in a “profession of faith”:”
“I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and in endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.
Thus, Deism inevitably subverted orthodox Christianity.
Persons influenced by the movement had little reason to read the Bible, to pray, to attend church, or to participate in such rites as baptism, Holy Communion, and the laying on of hands (confirmation) by bishops.
With the notable exceptions of
Abigail Adamsand
Dolley Madison, Deism seems to have had little effect on women. For example,
Martha Washington, the daughters of Thomas Jefferson, and
Elizabeth Kortright Monroe and her daughters seem to have held orthodox Christian beliefs.
But Deistic thought was immensely popular in colleges from the middle of the 18th into the 19th century.
Thus, it influenced many educated (as well as uneducated) males of the Revolutionary generation.
Although such men would generally continue their public affiliation with Christianity after college, they might inwardly hold unorthodox religious views. Depending on the extent to which Americans of Christian background were influenced by Deism, their religious beliefs would fall into three categories: non-Christian Deism, Christian Deism, and orthodox Christianity.
I’ll add Honest Abe for good measure:
UPDATED: JUL 8, 2019 | ORIGINAL: JUN 24, 2019
Was Abraham Lincoln an Atheist?
As a young man, Lincoln openly admitted to his lack of faith. As a politician, he spoke about God but refused to say he was a Christian.
Many think President Lincoln was a Deist. I accept that rather than Atheist.
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