Which religious beliefs did Deists consider necessary?

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Deists during the Enlightenment period generally rejected religious dogma, mystery, and institutionalized revelation in favor of reason and natural religion. Rather than adhering to specific sectarian teachings, many Deists identified a set of fundamental religious beliefs they considered innate and universal.1234

As articulated by Lord Herbert of Cherbury, these core beliefs included:

  • The existence of a supreme being.4
  • The necessity of worship directed toward that being.4
  • The pursuit of a virtuous and pious life as the most desirable form of worship.4
  • The need for repentance for sins.4
  • The belief in rewards and punishments in the afterlife.4

Deists viewed these principles as the original, primitive monotheism practiced by early humanity, which they believed had been corrupted over time by religious institutions and priestly interference. Consequently, they emphasized that true religious duty consisted of acting justly, loving mercy, and promoting the happiness of others, rather than participating in complex rituals or dogmatic ceremonies.42