Benjamin Franklin and the Role of Religion in Governing Democracy

Abstract

Benjamin Franklin had a deep faith in science in scientific progress. His intellectual prowess was turned decidedly toward the practical, & this skepticism led him to embrace the principle of religious liberty. Still, he believed that religion could play a vital role in shaping & preserving the modern republic because of its capacity of educating citizenry for democracy. His ideal was to promote religion generally, while modifying the dogmatism that characterized sectarian religion. Franklin's religious beliefs, their influence on his political theory, as well as several examples of his opinion about the relation of religious truth to government authority are discussed. D. Miller