Page 78 - Dragon Flood

of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or is likely
to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of
the present Dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question
I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with
it, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble. I see no
harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably
it has, of making his doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not
perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in His
government of the world with any particular marks of His displeasure.

I shall only add, respecting myself, that, having experienced the goodness of that Being
in conducting me prosperously through a long life, I have no doubt of its continuance in
the next, without the smallest conceit of meriting it... I confide that you will not expose me
to criticism and censure by publishing any part of this communication to you. I have ever
let others enjoy their religious sentiments, without reflecting on them for those that
appeared to me unsupportable and even absurd. All sects here, and we have a great
variety, have experienced my good will in assisting them with subscriptions for building
their new places of worship; and, as I never opposed any of their doctrines, I hope to go
out of the world in peace with them all.
[Benjamin Franklin, letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale]

With these words, Franklin conceded that he had no particular belief in Jesus, other than
believing His system of moral teachings to be excellent. Franklin did not believe in the deity
of Christ, the virgin birth, His atoning death, and resurrection. Franklin’s motto was “Live,
and let live.” Whatever anyone wanted to believe was fine with him.

Franklin declared in a letter to Thomas Paine that he believed that the general population
needed religious belief to constrain them from unbridled evil. Although Franklin did not
see the need within himself to be restrained by religious belief, he counseled Paine to not
be so outspoken in his attacks on Christianity.

Think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women
and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes who have need of the motives of
religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue . . . . I would advise you,
therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by
any other person . . . . If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be without it?
[Benjamin Franklin’s advice upon reading Paine’s Age of Reason]

It is hard to imagine a man among the founding fathers of America who actually needed the
restraints of religion more than Benjamin Franklin. At the age of twenty Franklin devised
a list of thirteen virtues that he believed a man should endeavor to cultivate.

Thirteen Virtues

1. "Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
2. "Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling
conversation."