Ancient history

What did the deists of late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries believe?

The deists of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries believed in a God who created the universe but did not actively interfere in its workings. They rejected the idea of a personal God who interacts with humans through revelation or miracles. Instead, they believed that the universe was governed by natural laws that could be discovered through reason and observation.

Deists also rejected the idea of an afterlife, arguing that human existence ended at death. They believed that the only way to achieve immortality was through fame and glory, which could be achieved by making significant contributions to society.

Deism was a popular philosophical movement among intellectuals and politicians during the Enlightenment, particularly in Europe and the United States. Some notable deists include Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Voltaire.