RevKeithWright wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qndtG-g1 … re=related

relevant answer by Arthur Miller at around 1:45 to 2:00 into tape 3.

I always felt that "Jews for Jesus" was a contradiction in terms as is Christian Deist.

There is no such thing as a Christian Deist...unless you want to invent your own reality which is what Christianity is...invented reality.

Howdy Rev! For a short time, I participated in one of the Deistic yahoo groups - I didn't stick around for long, because there was a definite trend of monotheistic deism within that group.  There were too many similarities to a Christian take on good and evil, morality, cosmology and origins. I didn't know enough about Deism to recognize whether this was typical of Deists, and only now am I gathering (based upon responses by yourself and Tpaine) that it's not.  In retrospect, I guess I could call them Christian Deists, so maybe the OP who posed this question was part of these groups, or perhaps this group reflects a trend of wishful thinking Deists who are really theists that want to appear more rational than they are.

I'm quite fascinated by all the  "blended religions" cropping up in the last 10 years; Cafeteria Catholics and moderate Muslims just may be onto something. A quick gander around Bnet and you'll find Christian Pagans, Messianic Jews, Pagan Unitarian Universalists, Taoist Christians,  the spiritual but not religions, etc. I actually think this is a measure of progress in that these are stepping stones for everyone finding their own brand of spirituality (or not) as they see fit. :)

Kind regards,

--- agnosticspirit

cclendenen wrote:

A very, very familiar story. Welcome. Look far and wide. No one in Deism will tell you what you must think. If they do, run away, fast.

Sample heavily and broadly. There is a ton of information out there. Read the classics: Paine, Allen, Palmer, etc. Hit all the top sites that show up on a Web search (except the Temple of Reason). You'll find plenty of information on what Deists don't believe. Take time to find out what Deists DO believe.

Deism is probably more about WHY we believe as we do than WHAT we believe. If you can figure out WHY you are a Deist, you will figure the rest out for yourself just fine.

Again,
Welcome

Thank you for the kind words and advice! :)
BearClaw

BaiginLong wrote:

My shift from Christianity occurred after realizing how silly it is to ask God for things in prayer. "God helps those who help themselves" after all. Add that into a slow study and respect for other religions (and eventual dismissal of their actual individuality), an understanding of human nature and political motivation, a questioning of my motivation for "believing" after the death of my father (as he and my mother were really the only reason I was exposed to Christianity so early), an experience as a member of the anti-cult ministries division as a Christian, and a deep interest and involvement in the sciences and voilà! Logic overtakes pragmatic exposure!

My current views are deeply scientific as expounded upon here: http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/s … hp?t=38805

I'm currently going to assume I'm a Deist (at least of some flavor) until someone decides to bill me otherwise.

Im not realy a deist i have a christian background but i admit that i only pray when i despretly need something. I think prayer is kind of superstitous and I dout that it works but i use it during times of emergency of the "just in case it works" philosophy. I am a strong believer in God but put off by the fundementalist movement as they deny evolution, homosexuality, and other things. I like having fellowship with people and i use the church as sorta a way to mingle with people.