The Connection with Deism and George Washington

As people look back at our fore fathers, isn’t George Washington one of the great examples of deism?  The definition of deism is the belief in the existence of a God on the evidence of reason and nature only, with rejection of supernatural revelation and also the belief in a God who created the world, but has since remained indifferent to it.  Deism is the belief in one god, unlike polytheism with the belief of more then one god, and atheism with no belief in God.  George Washington was a deist in his day, but not as a Christian as many were.  George Washington firmly believed in providence, the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth.  Washington tried to be a good and respectful person.  Also many people have said things to make Washington look like a Christian, but those writings were mostly all false.

            Washington had a firm belief of providence, and he never faltered from his belief of it.  In the book Washington and Religion written by Paul F. Boller, Jr. it says, “Washington had an unquestioning faith in Providence and, as we have seen, he voiced this faith publicly on numerous occasions. That this was no mere rhetorical flourish on his part, designed for public consumption, is apparent from his constant allusions to Providence in his personal letters. There is every reason to believe, from a careful analysis of religious references in his private correspondence, that Washington’s reliance upon a Grand Designer along Deist lines was as deep-seated and meaningful for his life.” Washington’s belief in a single God who helped him in life was a strong core for him, compared to some at that time who were atheist or polytheistic.  Washington figured out he didn’t know very much about life and the universe, and he felt like providence was extremely mysterious and couldn’t be analyzed.  Even though providence was a mystery to him, he still did all he could in all aspects of his life.

            From all the stories and speeches people have heard about Washington it is obvious he was a great man and that he did his best in every part of his life.  From the stories of the cherry tree to him never giving up hope after losing tough battles, Washington also knew he had to be the best he could be in order to become worthy of providence.  After the defeat at Germantown in 1777 he said, “We must endeavor to deserve better of providence, and, I am persuaded, she will smile on us.”  He gave his best in everything he did.  For example when he could of become king of this new country he declined it.  He knew it would be dire for the people to have a king and he turned down the offer.

            Many Christian preachers tried to make Washington look like a Christian, but truly he wasn’t.  Washington belonged to the Anglican Church just like everyone else in Colonial America.  Again written in the book Washington and Religion there is a part written by a Presbyterian minister, Arthur B. Bradford, saying,  “Often said in my hearing, though very sorrowfully, of course, that while Washington was very deferential to religion and its ceremonies, like nearly all the founders of the Republic, he was not a Christian, but a Deist.”  Also his toleration for differing religions was made clear when he wouldn’t allow his Continental Army to celebrate Pope’s Day.  He said it was, “ridiculous and childish.”

            Washington was firmly a deist and believed in a God who helped his creatures on earth, but he was not a real Christian.  Also Washington did his very best in every part of his life so he could be rewarded with providence.  Washington is really one of the great examples of deism of our fore fathers.  Many people look up to George Washington in the way he lived his life.