Religious Freedom Archive

Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, March 9, 1790

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin March 9, 1790 This was Franklin’s final and most famous description his personal faith. He offers a concise “creed” and expresses skepticism about the Divinity Jesus. He died the next month, on April 17, at the age of 85. Stiles was President of Yale College. Philada March 9. 1790 Reverend and Dear Sir, I received your kind Letter of Jany 28, and am glad you have at length received the Portraits of Govr Yale from his Family, and…

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Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin February 22, 1756 Though he later called himself a Deist, Franklin shows in this condolence note his belief In a soul and afterlife. “Why then should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals?” Philadelphia, February 22, 1756. Dear Child, I condole with you, we have lost a most dear and valuable relation, but it is the will of God and Nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter…

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Letter from Benjamin Franklin to an Atheist

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin December 13, 1757 Frankln here tries to dissuade an atheist from writing an article attacking religion. Franklin makes the argument that while a rare few might be able to get along without the help of religion, the masses need religion to keep them straight. To ————— Cravenstreet, Dec. 13. 1757 Dear Sir, I have read your Manuscrit with some Attention. By the Arguments it contains against the Doctrine of a particular Providence, tho’ you allow a general Providence,…

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Letter from Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 1763

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin June 6, 1763 George Whitefield was a leader of the Great Awakening, a period of evangelical resurgence around 1838-1840. Though Franklin disagreed with Whitefield theology, he helped promote his efforts by publicizing him in the Pennsylvania Gazette, which he owned. However, he disagreed with Whitefield’s notion that the grace of God, rather than good works, determined salvation. FOR my own part, when I am employed in serving others, I do not look upon myself as conferring favors, but…

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Benjamin Franklin’s Epitaph for Himself, 1728

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin 1728 Franklin wrote this when he was about 22. Epitaph The Body of B. Franklin, Printer; Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ’d, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended By the Author. He was born Jan. 6. 1706. Died 17 Source:…

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Dialogue between Two Presbyterians, by Benjamin Franklin, 1735

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin April 10, 1735 The person called “S” is thought to represent Franklin’s views. Franklin wrote this after a Presbyterian synod in Philadelphia had brought charges against a young preacher named Samuel Hemphill. He was accused of placing too much emphasis on morality rather than faith. Mr. Franklin, You are desired by several of your Readers to print the following Dialogue. It is between Two of the Presbyterian Meeting in this City. We cannot tell whether it may not…

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Benjamin Franklin’s Request for Prayers at the Constitutional Convention

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin July 28, 1787 The Constitutional Convention had been meeting for five weeks, and had hit a perilous deadlock. The large states were insisting that congressional representation be based on population; the smaller states wanted a one-state-one-vote rule. The entire effort to create a stronger union was in jeopardy. Eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin, quiet during most of the deliberations, then addressed the group. According to James Madison’s notes, here is what happened next. Mr. President The small progress we have…

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Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin January 1, 1771 Written later in his life, this Autobiography recalled the phase when he called himself a “Deist.” Despite that appellation, he later did seem to believe that God intervened in the course of his life and America’s history, a not-very-Deist perspective. Part XX Before I enter upon my public appearance in business, it may be well to let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles and morals, that you may…

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Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion by Benjamin Franklin, November 20, 1728

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin November 20, 1728 Franklin had difficulty imagining that the Supreme Being could possibly be interested in the petty needs – or prayers – of Earthlings. Yet He believed that humans have a powerful need “to pay Divine Regards to SOMETHING.” So, ever the engineer, Franklin concluded that God created a system of deputy gods, one for each solar system. Despite his Puritan upbringing, he envisioned a warm, loving God. “I should be happy to have so wise, good…

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A New Version of the Lord’s Prayer by Benjamin Franklin

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin January 1, 1768 “Heavenly Father, may all revere thee, and become thy dutiful Children and faithful Subjects; may thy Laws be obeyed on Earth as perfectly as they are in Heaven: Provide for us this Day as thou hast hitherto daily done: Forgive us our Trespasses, and enable us likewise to forgive those that offend us. Keep us out of Temptation, and deliver us from Evil.” Reasons for the Change of Expression Old Version. Our Father which…

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