Franklin on Deism

Deism was a belief in the idea that God created the world, but it did not focus on organized religion and the importance of scripture (Gilje). Deist also believed that in order to pay respect to their God, they would live their lives in a "moral and virtuous" way (Gilje). The ideology had a great effect on many revolutionary leaders, including Benjamin Franklin. Franklin even created a set of 13 virtues to which he modeled his life after (McKay). The 13 virtues were all written and created with deist views in mind, which was what Franklin had in mind.

Franklin's first virtue, Temperance, is one of the most important virtues (McKay). Temperance refers to restraint in actions, which was key to Franklin's ability to stick with the virtues and complete his task of becoming a better person (McKay). If Franklin couldn't stick with his virtues, they would mean nothing. This virtue doesn't really display deist views, but it is essential to the list of virtues. Franklin's second virtues, Silence, is a virtue that is easier said than done, or not said if you will. Franklin included silence in his list of virtues to show that sometimes it is better to keep silent and listen to what other people have to say. Going along with the deist beliefs, in order to please God, it is best sometimes to keep quiet and let others speak, because part of becoming a better person is knowing that you are not perfect and that you can learn from others just as much as yourself. Frugality is a word that is not often used, but it is a very important virtue to follow. Since God created the world and then stepped back, according to deist beliefs (Gilje), it is very important to waste nothing that He created in order to please him.Sincerity is a crucial virtue to deist beliefs. Sincerity is one of the cornerstones to deism because it is all based on people treating others with respect (McKay). I truly am surprised that respect is not one of Franklin's virtues, but many of his virtues cover the same idea as respect.

Franklin's Autobiography also contains many specific examples of Franklin's beliefs on virtues and deism.

I never doubted, for instance, the existence of a Deity-that he made the world and governed it by his providence-that the most acceptable service was the doing good to man-that our souls are immortal-and that all crimes will be punished and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter. (Franklin)

That quotation sums up most all of Franklin's deist beliefs. He claims that he truly believed in an almighty God, that he made the world and then stepped back, and that the only way to serve him is to do good to others and the virtue would be rewarded and the crime the opposite. That passage proves that Franklin definitely let deist beliefs influence his life, including the virtues that he modeled his life after. Many of Franklin's virtues were simple little things, but when added together, would lead a person to a virtuous life based with deist beliefs.

Franklin, Benjamin. The Autoboigraphy of Benjamin Franklin. Philadelphia: Henry Altemus, 1895. PDF.

Gilje, Paul A. "deism." In Gilje, Paul A., and Gary B. Nash, eds. Encyclopedia of American History: Revolution and New Nation, 1761 to 1812, Revised Edition (Volume III). New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2010. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=EAHIII109&SingleRecord=True (accessed October 26, 2011).

McKay, Brett, and Kate McKay. "Being Virtuous: Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues of Life | The Art of Manliness." The Art of Manliness | Men’s Interests and Lifestyle. 1 June 2008. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://artofmanliness.com/2008/06/01/the-virtuous-life-wrap-up/>.