DEISM

deism, free thought

(noun) the form of theological rationalism that believes in God on the basis of reason without reference to revelation

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Noun

Deism (countable and uncountable, plural Deisms)

A religious philosophy and movement that became prominent in England, France, and the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries. It rejects supernatural events (prophecy, miracles) and divine revelation prominent in organized religion, along with holy books and revealed religions that assert the existence of such things.

alternative typography of deism

Usage notes

Reference to the 17th and 18th century movement is more frequently capitalized, while reference to the general philosophy or belief is more frequently not capitalized.

Anagrams

• Diems, demis, dimes, disme

Etymology

Noun

deism (usually uncountable, plural deisms)

A philosophical belief in the existence of a god (or goddess) knowable through human reason; especially, a belief in a creator god unaccompanied by any belief in supernatural phenomena or specific religious doctrines.

Belief in a god who ceased to intervene with existence after acting as the cause of the cosmos.

Usage notes

The word is often capitalized when referring to the rise of such beliefs in 17th and 18th century Europe and America.

Anagrams

• Diems, demis, dimes, disme

Source: Wiktionary

De"ism, n. Etym: [L. deus god: cf. F. déisme. See Deity.]

Definition: The doctrine or creed of a deist; the belief or system of those who acknowledge the existence of one God, but deny revelation.

Note: Deism is the belief in natural religion only, or those truths, in doctrine and practice, which man is to discover by the light of reason, independent of any revelation from God. Hence, deism implies infidelity, or a disbelief in the divine origin of the Scriptures.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition