Like most children, Franklin was subjected to the religious drivel of his parents. As one of the finer intellects ever produced on the north american continent he learned with age...unlike most of the idiot jesus freaks who lurk around here. The stuff he wrote in the 1720's differs markedly from what he wrote in the 1780's!
http://infidels.org/library/historical/j...ter_4.html
If only xtians got smarter with age there would be hope for them.
http://infidels.org/library/historical/j...ter_4.html
Quote:"My parents had given me betimes religions impressions, and I received from my infancy a pious education in the principles of Calvinism. But scarcely was I arrived at fifteen years of age, when, after having doubted in turn of different tenets, according as I found them combated in the different books that I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself" (Autobiography, p. 66).
Quote:At the age of eighty-four, just previous to his death, in reply to inquiries concerning his religious belief from Ezra Stiles, the President of Yale College, he wrote as follows:
Here is my creed: I believe in one God, the Creator of the universe. That he governs it by his providence. That he ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render him is doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this."
This is pure Deism. Paine and Voltaire would have readily subscribed to every one of the above six articles of faith. Compare the creed of Franklin with the creed of Paine.
If only xtians got smarter with age there would be hope for them.
