Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin's views on religion can be considered controversial thought, even in comparison to current Christian culture and belief, but especially when compared to the personal theology of Great Awakening Ministeur and Puritanical Johnathen Edwards. Both men undoudtedly supported views crediting an existing "Almighty" or superior being by whom humanity is guided, but their views on this "Almighty" cause a sincere discrepancy in opinion and theological belief. This theological dichotomy is apparent when assessing the differing traits by which Franklin and Edwards tack on to their personal God. Franklin proposes his god as one who demonstrates like features, attitudes, and disciplines as himself. He argues that God demonstrates characteristics implicit of dilligence, hard work, pragmatism, and a diplomatic view on social, political, and economic views worldwide. This idea of God's 'diplomacy' combats the common puritanical perception that God operates in a clear-cut manner, predictable based on exerpts drawn from Biblical text. As in situations dealing with natives, slaves, and people hailing from cultures not typically prevalent in the pre-Independence English colonies, Franklin believes God's stance would be one that is not so clear cut and probably highly controversial compared to the common perception of many Puritans. Edwards however proposes that his God is one who demonstrates characteristics of wrath (as summarized in the famous "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" sermon), a selfish love for his 'children,' and forgiving, but not the pragmatic, industrious God that Franklin so clearly proposes. As Edwards' beliefs on his personal God differ from those of Franklin's, it is evident that these views on God run much deeper than can be seen through their dichotomous views on the mere traits of God themselves. Each believes that God plays a specific role in the day-to-day aspects of human life, and humanity's view.