preview

How Does Benjamin Franklin's View Of Religion

Decent Essays

There are two major ideas going on with religion in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: His belief in God and his position on organized religion and attending church. Franklin feels that those things are very much separate. Being religious is not about attendance at church, contributing to pastor’s ideas, or following illogical rules. As an alternative, Franklin felt that it was about praying honesty, being upright, doing good deeds, and believing in God. Franklin doesn’t subscribe to any of their customs. He is more concerned with connecting with God in his own way, according to his own methods.
In this section, Franklin discusses his religion. Although he no longer attends public religious meetings, he believes in God and his creation. In addition, he believes that serving humankind and doing good for a fellow man are the best services offered to God. He also believes in the immortality of soul, that bad will be punished and good will be rewarded. Franklin observes that almost all religions preach principles similar to his, but they often teach certain doctrines that do not inspire …show more content…

Also, he continued to pay is yearly contribution for the support of the only Presbyterian Minister in Philadelphia. At one point, the minister persuaded Franklin to attend a meeting at his church. Franklin made a point to mention that this meeting caused an interruption to his reading. He attended the Sunday gathering, for five consecutive services, expecting some moralities and philosophies to be taught during the preaching. However, Franklin was doomed to boredom as the minister merely preached about religious arguments and explications of doctrines. Upon this, Franklin avoid church, outright. He then composed a form a prayer called 'Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion'. I guess this was his way of worshipping

Get Access