Elihu Palmer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elihu Palmer (7 August 1764 - 7 April 1806) was an ex-Baptist minister who made an effort to organize Deism by forming the "Deistical Society of New York." Palmer wrote the "Principles of Nature" (1801) as follows:
- The universe proclaims the existence of one supreme Deity, worthy of the adoration of intelligent beings.
- Man is possessed of moral and intellectual faculties sufficient for improvement of nature, and the acquisition of happiness.
- The religion of nature is the only universal religion; that it grows out of the moral relations of intelligent beings, and it stands connected with the progressive improvement and common welfare of the human race.
- It is essential to the true interest of man, that he love truth and practice virtue.
- Vice is every where ruinous and destructive to the happiness of the individual and of society.
- A benevolent disposition, and beneficient actions, are fundamental duties of rational beings.
- A religion mingled with persecution and malice cannot be of divine origin.
- Education and science are essential to the happiness of man.
- Civil and religious liberty is essential to his interests.
- There can be no human authority to which man ought to be amenable for his religious opinions.
- Science and truth, virtue and happiness, are the great objects to which the activity and energy of human faculties ought to be directed.
 |
This biography of a religious figure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
