On Good and Evil by Albert Einstein

This short essay taken from Albert Einstein's book The World as I See It p. 7. It is right in principle that those should be the best loved who have contributed most to the elevation of the human race and human life. But, if one goes on to ask who they are, one finds oneself in no inconsiderable difficulties. In the case of political, and even of religious, leaders, it is often very doubtful whether they have done more good or harm. Hence I most seriously believe that one does people the best service by giving them some elevating...

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Epicurus – Jefferson's Favorite

Another philosophy that focused on how one should live was Epicureanism. Its founder was Epicurus, who was younger than Pyrrho the Skeptic by 19 years, and older than Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, by 8 years. Epicurus was from the island of Samos. He went to Athens at the age of eighteen to confirm his Athenian citizenship – the year before Alexander died. Later he took up residence in the city of Mytilene, and there, at the age of thirty, he acquired recognition as a philosopher. Like the Cynics and Stoics, Epicureans believed it best to...

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Ethan Allen on God, Reason, Prayer, & Religion

In this final installment of our special series on the Founding Fathers and their thoughts on God, Religion, & the Divine, we move to farmer, politician, and guerilla revolutionary leader Ethan Allen, who perhaps is best known for leading the Green Mountain Boys (and other fighters) in their raid and capture Fort Ticonderoga, a strategic victory which severely hampered communication between the northern and southern units of the British army. Like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, Ethan Allen might be best described as a Progressive...

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Ethan Allen From Philosopedia

Ethan Allen From Philosopedia Allen, Ethan [Colonel] (21 January 1738 - 12 February 1789) A hero of the American Revolution, Allen in 1784 wrote, “I have generally been denominated a Deist, the reality of which I have never disputed, being conscious that I am no Christian, except mere infant baptism makes me one; and as to being a Deist, I know not, strictly speaking, whether I am one or not.” He found trinitarianism “destitute of foundation, and tends manifestly to superstition and idolatry.”...

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Debunking the Christian Democracy Myth Thomas Jefferson [3rd President (1801-1809)]

Christian Democracy Myth Thomas Jefferson [3rd President (1801-1809)] wrote: “The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God.” “The serious enemies are the priests of the different religious sects to whose spells on the human mind its improvement is ominous.” “I join you [John Adams], therefore, in sincere congratulations that this den of the priesthood is at length broken up, and that a Protestant Popedom is no longer...

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Spirit and Reason

by Chuck Clendenen There is nothing intrinsically wrong with religion, but organized religion simply does not work for some people. For many of us, beliefs based on unquestioning faith simply will not stand up to critical analysis… It is only reasonable to conclude that spirituality fulfills a basic human need. In the hierarchy of needs that he developed, Abraham Maslow called such needs higher needs. Religion has fulfilled the spiritual needs of billions of people, but sometimes at great cost. Religion is a powerful force,...

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Deism in Practice

by Chuck Clendenen There is a gap between what we believe and what we can prove, and we bridge that gap with reasoned faith. I believe that there is plenty of room for both the sacred and the spiritual in a world governed by scientific principles. That is reasoned spirituality… Deism in Practice Science and spirituality do not have to be at war with one another. Deism offers reasoned spirituality. Deism provides a foundation and a framework that allows you to decide what beliefs to build into your worldview. What you construct will...

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Ethan Allen * (1738-1789)

"[I demand Fort Ticonderoga] In the name of the great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress." --Ethan Allen in A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Captivity * in 1779 Excerpts from Reason: The Only Oracle of Man * * (1784) I have generally been denominated a Deist, the reality of which I never disputed, being conscious I am no Christian, except mere infant baptism make me one; and as to being a Deist, I know not, strictly speaking, whether I am one or not, for I have never read their writings; mine will therefore determine the matter......

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The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth

THE Jefferson Bible Full with table The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth Extracted Textually from the Gospels Compiled by Thomas Jefferson The Life and Morals of Jesus Table of Texts Extracted from the Four Gospels Chapter 1 1-7.....L. 2:1-7 8.....L. 2:21 9-10.....L. 2:39-40 11-17.....L. 2:42-48 18-19.....L. 2:51-52 20-21.....L. 3:1-2 22.....Mk. 1:4 23-25.....Mt....

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