Comparing And Contrasting Writings Of Puritans And Deist Religion Essay

Comparing And Contrasting Writings Of puritans And Deist spectral belief EssayThe writings of Puritans like John Winthrop, Michael Wigglesworth, John Dane, and Mary Rowlandson jackpot be easily compared to the annals of Deist genus Benzoin Franklin. The two sacred views involve obvious differences while hitherto having some relating ideas. These selfsame(prenominal) ideas open up in gum benzoin Franklins autobiography could have come from his Puritan upbringing. He upliftms to take some key beliefs from the Puritan religion and develops them into more clear-sighted number ideas he toilette believe in. Franklin scents to make his beliefs come from more discernible sources other than just faith. eon Puritan and Deist beliefs on matinee idols characteristics and the future have several distinct differences, they also contain some similar ideas concerning idols existence and living with highschool object lesson standards.In his autobiography, Franklin doesnt menti on either of his religious beliefs affecting his sustenance until he comes across Deism. While the Puritan readings discuss Gods involvement in their lives frequently, Franklin does non. He is raised as a strict Calvinist until he was active fifteen and began doubting disparate books he read including the Bible (Franklin, 5). Instead of discussing God influencing his life, Franklin talks about his father in his autobiography. He describes each(prenominal) in altogether of his fathers good qualities in oftentimes detail. Franklins description of his father is an example of how he focuses on peoples character and morals instead of looking to God for guidance. He seems to admire his fathers traits and strives to have those same good qualities when he grows up.These irrelevant views seem to exemplify the differences among asa dulcis Franklins ideologies from the Puritans beliefs. While the Puritans values derive from complete faith of God, Franklin uses physical, real life examples like his father to build his foundation of faith. Another example of Purists and Deists conflicting views can be found looking at their beliefs on the futurity. after(prenominal) reading excerpts of writings from these authors, it is interesting to see their differing views of the afterlife. While Franklin clearly secernates it is not necessary to worry about life after death, the Puritan readings whole mention fearing God and their beliefs of salvation. As Franklin describes his ideas of pleasure and pain, he states that even if there is an afterlife, we wont remember our earthly existence so there is no importance of worrying about it (Franklin, 7). His ideas of life after death samara a very different picture than those of the Purist views.Michael Wigglesworths poem depicts what he believes lead happen at the end of the world. In Wigglesworth poem, he describes what judgment solar day allow for look like and says No heart so bold, and now grows cold and almost dead with fear (Wigglesworth, 3). This description explains how all will fear God on judgment day no matter how brave they once were. Wigglesworth also goes on to explain how all people are predestined to be sent to Hell or given salvation. He mentions how easy it is to believe that you are among the saved when you in truth are not (Wigglesworth, 4). Both examples fate very contrasting views of the afterlife between Puritan and Deist religions.With these differences, readers can also find similarities indoors the Purist and Deist writings. One corresponding idea twain Ben Franklin and the Puritan authors have is that God exists. While the two religions solo partially agree, they still both claim there is a God and they both look toward him for guidance. every four Puritan readings openly express God their all-knowing maker. They all try to lead lives following his moral laws. In Danes reading, he and his parents look to the Bible to help him decide whether or not he should s cat to sensitive England. After the Bible encourages him, his family helps him be able to move to New England as fast as possible. John Dane and his parents believed that God would guide them to the in force(p) decision by looking in to the Bible for answers. Soon after, beforehand her son leaves home, John Danes mother warns him Go where you will, God he will find you. (Dane, 2). This warning means to tell Dane that no matter where he is, God will still be able to find him and see what he is doing. Danes mother illustrates the Purists certainty in God existence and in his guidance.Ben Franklin, along with other Deists, also maintains that God exist However, Franklin states that there is a god, just not a Christian God (Franklin, 6). He accepts that we were all created by one original maker. In his dissertation, Benjamin Franklin writes that there is tell to be a First Mover, who is called GOD, Maker of the Universe (Franklin, 6). Franklin not only accepts there is a god, he als o looks to him for guidance. During his journey in bettering himself, Franklin looks to God for guidance towards knowledge. He explains Conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I theory it right and necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it (Franklin, 14). He makes up a prayer that he says every day asking for wisdom from God. These examples show evidence of Benjamin Franklins Purist upbringing and the adaptations he made towards his Deist beliefs. While he agrees with Dane and other Puritans that God does exist, he modifies certain ideas to make them more concrete and suitable for his religious conviction.Another example of likeness between the Puritans and Deists views is their beliefs on how one should behave. In terms of human nature, both readings state that it is important to live with high moral standards. From a Deist perspective, Benjamin Franklin composes a list of thirteen virtues to help him live as morally perfect as possible. He talks about reaching mo ral nonpareil and states I wishd to live without committing any(prenominal) fault at any time (Franklin, 12). As Franklin continues in his autobiography, his reasoning for living towards moral perfection seems to come from a personal goal instead of a religious goal. He argues that since he is aware of the difference between right and wrong, he sees no reason why he shouldnt try to always read to do the right thing (Franklin, 12). Like Franklin, the Puritans also believe in living morally correct however, unlike Franklin, their reasoning stems from their religion.John Winthrop, along with the other Puritan authors, also talks about living with high moral laws. Winthrop describes that the best conversancy to live by is the civil conversance. This liberty is the only liberty which is good, just, and honest (Winthrop, 1). These proclamations appear to come from Winthrops beliefs that civil liberty is Gods moral laws. John Dane also touches on living morally correct. Dane speaks of how exploitation up with godly parents made his conscience able to identify evils that he should avoid (Dane, 1). His parents religious rules taught Dane how to live his life through Gods rules. While both the Deist and Purist authors have different reasons for living with high moral standards, they still both agree having high moral standards is important.When comparing the readings from Puritans like Winthrop, Wigglesworth, Dane, and Rowlandson to Franklins autobiography it is easy to see the many differences between Puritans and Deists ideology on God and human nature. Differentiations between these Puritan and Deist authors ideas like Gods characteristics and ideas on the afterlife are exemplified throughout the readings. With these differences, similarities on Purist and Deists beliefs of God and human nature can also be found. After looking at these discrepancies and resemblances, it is evident that Benjamin Franklin took his Puritan upbringing and molded those ideas into a more realistic and rational religion he could believe in.