A recent survey on religion shows there are 34
million Americans who are classified as "Nones", that is they do
not embrace any of the "revealed" religions and the vast
majority of them are not Atheists. In actuality, the vast
majority of the "Nones" are actually Deists!
The survey shows a giant step forward for Deism in the fact that it
actually uses the word "Deist" and for the very significant raw
numbers it shows as representing the number of people who are
Deists. In reality, the number of Deists is actually
higher than the survey shows because the survey uses an outdated
definition of Deist. For a more accurate definition please see
our Deism
Defined page.
Click here to read the
actual survey. (It's in PDF)
Primitive Beliefs or Enlightened Thinking
Primitive Beliefs or Enlightened Thinking
by Pauline
As human beings, we should always be striving to enrich our lives with knowledge. By so doing, we increase our understanding of ourselves and the natural world. This is the way progress is made. When we reflect upon the progress humanity has made in so many areas, it is truly astounding. Just consider, for example, food production, medicine, transportation, or education methods -- the advances made in each area are amazing. If we examine each of the above mentioned areas, from a historical perspective, we see man's early struggle for survival and the gradual steps to improved living conditions.
Farmers, doctors, engineers, and teachers all use scientific
methods, hence history attests to the developmental progress they
have made. Considering this, a natural question arises. Why is it
that we have not made similar progress in our ideas of religion?
Why is it that so many are locked into a primitive, tribal
religious belief system-- a system wherein "god" hands down commands
etched in stone and threatens to rein down fire and brimstone if not
obeyed? Why do the devoutly religious so often fear science?
The answer is most likely because religious beliefs are instilled in
the mind with fear and guilt. These negative emotions of fear and
guilt are used as weapons against people by the clerics of
"revealed" religion. And these weapons are used most often
against children! Think of that!! Religious beliefs are usually
instilled first in the minds of children. Imagine the consequences
of having superstitious fears and guilt burden the mind of an
innocent child! Have you ever wondered why this continues to
be tolerated?
If a doctor nowadays was using old, unsanitary practices h/she would
be sued for malpractice. And what would happen to a teacher who
tried to teach the three Rs to the "tune of a hickory
stick?" Indeed, as a society we no longer tolerate the beating of
children by their own parents--we recognize it for what it is--child
abuse. Perhaps someday, teaching a child that h/she is born in sin
with an evil nature, and needs Jesus dying on the cross for
redemption, will be seen for what it is--mental abuse-- by society
at large.
As Deists, we don't want to wait for society at large to come to its
collective senses. We should be speaking up now, by at least
raising the question: Why haven't we advanced in our understanding
of God? Why in the 21st Century does society cling to its
primitive, tribal concept of an angry, vengeful God?
Society needs the enlightened thinking of Deism. It needs to know
that to begin to understand Nature is the first step in
understanding the Creator. That should be our task as Deists. The
Enlightenment was meant to be shared.
For a interesting, related article click this link:
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News of Interest to Deists
Astronomers report a recent
study strongly indicates the Universe is infinite.
One of the reasons the freethinker Giordano Bruno was tortured and murdered by being burned alive by the Catholic Church during the Inquisition was that he said the Universe is eternal and infinite which violates the superstitions in the Bible found in Genesis. This new study vindicates Bruno.
One of the reasons the freethinker Giordano Bruno was tortured and murdered by being burned alive by the Catholic Church during the Inquisition was that he said the Universe is eternal and infinite which violates the superstitions in the Bible found in Genesis. This new study vindicates Bruno.
Obama is making the mixing of church and state
worse than ever before.
Obama supporters forget that when all is said and done, Obama is just another politician. This article shows he's proving that he is nothing but a politician by doing more than any other president to mix religion and government, especially through giving tax-dollars to religious organizations.
Obama supporters forget that when all is said and done, Obama is just another politician. This article shows he's proving that he is nothing but a politician by doing more than any other president to mix religion and government, especially through giving tax-dollars to religious organizations.