Changes

David Hume’s criticism of reason raised doubts as to whether it could be reliable and if humans were rational creatures. The rise of Transcendentalism was another blow to Deism. Influenced by Romanticism, it suggested that there were unfathomable aspects of the human experience and emphasized intuition over reason. Ironically the Deists success in ’ameliorating the dogmatic supernaturalism of Orthodox Christianity in America’ meant that their arguments were not as pertinent to American religious life. <ref> Walters, p 116</ref> Walters finally discusses the legacy of the Deists. They had an impact on religious life in America and ensured that the various Orthodox Christian groups did not emphasize the supernatural aspect of Christianity. Their influence was also particularly in the area of social reform. They were early champions of the abolition of slavery and women’s rights. The American tradition of and commitment to social reform is perhaps their greatest legacy.

====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====

{{Contributors}}