Ben Franklins Religion

Although in his Autobiography Benjamin Franklin claims that at a young age he "became a thorough Deist" (1359), Franklin saw God as much more than a blind watchmaker. Among his frequent references to practicality, reason, and the value of experimental science, Franklin's metaphysical beliefs [2] easily get lost, especially as he distances himself theologically from colonial Christian doctrines. It becomes convenient but incorrect to let Franklin's "virtue" stand apart from his religious beliefs. Franklin maintained a firm …

…visit to the old woman who confessed her vain thoughts every day, p. 1350); argument by design; the necessity of a public religion and a religious character among citizens—especially Christianity—but apart from superstition, and its relation to education, pp. 336-37 (and cf. also Poor Richard 1757 p. 1294 and his remark on Boyle, p. 1250); and religious toleration in the Junto, p. 207 (cf. Franklin's support of all manner of religious construction projects, and his support for Whitefield).