deist

Contrast with "theist".

Many of America's Founding Fathers were deists.

Deist, one who admits the being of a God, but denies the existence or even necessity of a divine revelation, believing that the light of nature and reason are sufficient guides in doctrine and practice; a believer in natural religion only; a freethinker.

A term applied in controversy which arose in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, between those who believed and those who disbelieved in revelation; the latter, however, not occupying the atheistic standpoint, but accepting the existence of a God.

De"ist (?), n. [L. deus god: cf. F. d'eiste. See Deity.]

One who believes in the existence of a God, but denies revealed religion; a freethinker.

⇒ A deist, as denying a revelation, is opposed to a Christian; as, opposed to the denier of a God, whether atheist or patheist, a deist is generally denominated theist.

Latham.

Syn. -- See Infidel.

© Webster 1913.