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Deism: meaning, definitions and examples

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deism

 

[ ˈdeɪɪzm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

philosophical belief

Deism is a philosophical belief in a supreme being, specifically a creator who does not intervene in the universe after creating it. This concept often emphasizes reason and observation of the natural world as the primary sources of knowledge about the divine, rather than scripture or religious doctrine. Deists typically reject organized religion and the belief in miracles, arguing that the existence of God can be deduced from the universe's complexity and order.

Synonyms

natural religion, rationalism, theism

Examples of usage

  • Many Enlightenment thinkers were proponents of deism.
  • Deism suggests a rational faith based on nature.
  • In deism, God is seen as a distant creator.

Translations

Translations of the word "deism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 deísmo

🇮🇳 देवादर्शिता

🇩🇪 Deismus

🇮🇩 deisme

🇺🇦 деїзм

🇵🇱 deizm

🇯🇵 デイズム

🇫🇷 déisme

🇪🇸 deísmo

🇹🇷 deizm

🇰🇷 데이즘

🇸🇦 ديزم

🇨🇿 deismus

🇸🇰 deizmus

🇨🇳 自然神论

🇸🇮 deizem

🇮🇸 deismi

🇰🇿 дизизм

🇬🇪 დეიზმია

🇦🇿 deizm

🇲🇽 deísmo

Etymology

The term 'Deism' originates from the Latin word 'deus', meaning 'God'. The concept began to take shape prominently during the Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, as thinkers sought to detach religious belief from institutional church authority and instead emphasize personal faith and rationality. Deism gained traction in both Europe and America, particularly among intellectuals and some of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin expressed deistic ideologies in their writings. The emphasis on reason, ethics, and the observation of the natural world distinguished deism from traditional religious practices, which often relied on revelation and dogma. As modern science and philosophy evolved, deism allowed for a belief in God that was reconciled with an understanding of a rational, orderly universe. By the 19th century, while deism faced challenges from atheism and secularism, it laid the groundwork for various forms of modern spirituality and philosophical dialogue.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,757 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.