Deism

Deism is the belief that the universe was created by a God who then made no further intervention in its affairs, often expressed by the metaphor of the "Divine Watchmaker" who created a mechanism so perfect as to be self-regulating. Deists do not believe that miracles? take place, or have ever done so.

Deism was popular among thinkers of the Enlightenment such as Voltaire and the Founders? of the United States, but serious advocacy of deism is unusual among more recent theologians.

Thomas Jefferson is perhaps the most well known and outspoken of the American founding deists. See Jefferson on Deism for some quotes.

See also: theism, atheism, agnosticism, pantheism, panentheism, God

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