Argument Quote by Benjamin Franklin
““My Parents had early given me religious Impressions, and brought me through my Childhood piously in the Dissenting Way. But I was scarce 15 when, after doubting by turns of several Points as I found them disputed in the different Books I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself . Some Books against Deism fell into my Hands; they were said to be the Substance of Sermons preached at Boyle's Lectures. It happened that they wrought an Effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them: For the Arguments of the Deists which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much Stronger than the Refutations. In short I soon became a thorough Deist . [ Part I, p. 45 of autobiography ]””
About This Quote
Source Autobiography: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Part I, p.45
He describes moving from a religious upbringing to deism after questioning scriptural contradictions and finding deist arguments more convincing.
In simple terms: Questioned faith, adopted deism.
Key Takeaway
Question beliefs, seek evidence.
Themes
religion
skepticism
intellectual growth
Mood
contemplative
curious
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- education
- reading
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
deism
critical inquiry
faith crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile doubt with belief?
- What role does evidence play in faith?
A Different Perspective
Deist arguments may overlook emotional aspects of faith.
![“[T]he Rev. R. Taylor, A.M., the Deist, now in gaol, infamously persecuted by the Whigs for his religious opinions, in his learned defense of Deism called the Diegesis, has clearly proved all the heirarchical institutions of the Christians to be a close copy of those of the Essenians of Egypt.” quote by Godfrey Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b6/godfrey-higgins-52829_christian_t-he-rev-r-taylor-a-m-the-deist-now-in-g_679803.jpg)
