By Robert L. Johnson, Presented by Lewis Loflin
In society, we preserve what serves a purpose and discard what doesn’t. Robert L. Johnson asks: what value do revealed religions like Christianity offer today, compared to the natural philosophy of Deism? As a Deist, I share his emphasis on reason over dogma (My Deist Journey), so let’s explore his argument.
Johnson suggests Christianity’s relevance has waned. Its teachings, he argues, struggle to align with modern understanding—take Ephesians 6:5, urging slaves to “obey your earthly masters with respect and fear.” Slavery’s abolition over a century ago renders this outdated, and its lack of condemnation troubles those who value reason and justice. Does this reflect a God worth following?
Beyond obsolescence, Johnson sees danger in Christianity’s political influence. Groups like Pat Robertson’s Christian Coalition and Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University have gained ground—securing governorships, Senate seats, and mayoral roles in major cities. He warns that unchecked, this could shift America toward a fundamentalist state, prioritizing superstition over liberty.
If such leaders, backed by believers in revealed religion, dominate Congress and the White House, Johnson fears a return to oppressive policies—censoring books today, perhaps freedoms tomorrow. He ties this to apocalyptic beliefs, suggesting they could nudge the world toward conflict, even nuclear war, as self-fulfilling prophecies. Whether this risk is imminent or exaggerated, it’s a call to consider the stakes.
Johnson attributes this vulnerability to revealed religion’s discouragement of reason. From childhood, it often replaces God’s gift of thought with faith—essentially, “trust the priest.” This mindset, he argues, not only empowers religious leaders but also political opportunists, enabling wars like Vietnam or Iraq. Deism, by contrast, champions reason, aiming to end such “nightmares” through clear thinking.
Reason, not revelation, offers a path to progress—Deism seeks truth in nature, not outdated texts.
Deism’s strength, Johnson posits, lies in countering this trend. It affirms God through Creation, not scripture, appealing to those who sense divinity but question dogma. As Deists debate fundamentalists, sincere believers might see Christianity’s flaws—falsehoods exposed by reason—and turn to a purer view of God. This could weaken the influence of figures like Robertson and Falwell, preserving freedom and rationality.
For Johnson, Deism aligns closer to God’s true nature—evident in the universe’s order, not human tales. It’s a philosophy that invites reflection, not blind trust, offering hope against regressive control.
Acknowledgment: Thanks to Grok, an AI by xAI, for formatting assistance. Johnson’s ideas resonate with my Deist critique of revelation (My Deist Journey). —Lewis Loflin
Section updated, added 4/05/2025