DEISM

The basic assumptions about life according to a deist can be summed up this way:
  • Deism derives the existence and nature of Source Energy (God) from logic and personal experience (rather than from a written scripture or religious institution).
  • Deism rejects supernatural events (prophecy, miracles). According to a deist, Source Energy (God) exists but does not intervene with the affairs of human life and the natural laws of the universe.
  • Deism accepts holy books of religion as interpretations made by other humans, rather than as authoritative sources.
  • Deism purports that Source Energy (God’s) greatest gift to humanity is not religion, but the ability to reason.
  • Deism teaches that there is right and wrong, good and evil based upon the laws set up by the Divine Creator because by those laws, society runs best.
Understanding Deism
  • Originated in Europe, mainly among intellectuals.
  • Deism began to gain prominence in the 17th Century.
  • An early proponent of Deism was the English Lord Edward Herbert of Cherbury.
    Key Facts/Beliefs of Deism:
  • Belief in a higher power/supreme being.
  • Belief in an afterlife.
  • Rejects revelations as a source of religious evidence.
  • Oriented toward scientific fact and natural observation, rather than scripture.
  • Heavily influenced by ideas from the Enlightenment.
  • Very much an intellectual movement.
  • Heavily influential during the American revolution and in early America. The Declaration of Independence uses Deistic language.
    What Deists Do NOT Believe In:
  • The revelations of the Abrahamic religions.
  • The Bible as an absolute guide.
  • The need for frequent prayer.
  • Baptism and circumcision.
  • Regularly attending church or any other meeting involving worship.
  • The need for a personal relationship with a priest.
  • Communion.
    Some Deistic Terms for God:
  • Source Energy
  • Divine Providence.
  • Nature’s God.
  • Divine Creator.
    Famous Deists (or Suspected Deists):
  • Edward Herbert – English Lord of Cherbury.
  • Thomas Paine – English-born American philosopher. Wrote “The Age of Reason,” “Common Sense,” and “Rights of Man.”
  • Thomas Jefferson – 2nd Vice President, and later, 3rd President of the United States. He was a Christian Deist.
  • George Washington (suspected but not certain) –– 1st President of the United States. Harbored Deist beliefs meaning that he may have been a Christian Deist like Jefferson. He notably always left church services before communion.

The Deism Bible

The Deism Bible is not a commandant stone, but a reflective mirror, inviting you to think, feel, explore and grow. Unlike traditional Bibles that claim divine inerrancy, it’s work embraces dynamic Insight, ethical evolution and the sacredness of individual reason. Themes covered are 1. Nature and the Divine 2. Wisdom and Ethics 3. The Life and Teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) 4. The Distortion of Doctrine 5. Deistic Redactions 6. Human Progress and Inner Light. As you read, you come to realise that the universe is our sanctuary, kindness is our ritual, wonder is our prayer and reason is our sacred path. I highly recommend!

My Story

My name is John Shearer and I am primarily a mental health professional. I was born in Adelaide in 1952, raised a family in Wagga Wagga and now half retired in Hervey Bay, Queensland. My story begins in 1982 when I died and was revived after a horrific truck accident. My dog was killed and I had multiple injuries including my brain. I had a young family and didn’t handle my situation at all well. Later that year, I was diagnosed with mental ‘illness’ and then started a 15 year journey stuck in the mental health ‘system’. Stress, anxiety, depression, mania and suicidality. Psychiatrists told me that I couldn’t be cured, would have to take medication for the rest of my life and that I probably would never work again. I believed them and that is what kept me stuck.

On World Mental Health Day in 1997 (10th October), I got what I call my miracle. An old friend, who I hadn’t seen for nearly 20 years (well before my accident), was passing through town and decided to visit. The first thing he said was, “I had a spiritual prompt to knock on your door.” We had a great catch up and he shared his story. It was that story that led to my spiritual awakening. With my new perspective on light and dark, I was able to get off meds and have never been clinically depressed since. I was still being triggered into unhelpful and negative thoughts due to my past trauma. I would handle my thoughts by thinking, ‘That’s from the darkside… I am now walking in the light!’

I got my life back and started what I now call my four year spiritual apprenticeship in a Pentecostal church. In 2003, my wife and I opened Shearers Cue Sport in the main street of Wagga Wagga. Sixteen pool tables and a jukebox, all seven High Schools came for sport and we had a great time running leagues and competitions. In 2009, we decided to move north to Grafton NSW. What would I do? I started surfing the internet for the latest trends in mental health. What I found was a book written by Dr Russ Harris called The Happiness Trap. It’s about ACT Therapy which is a mindfulness based therapy. I fell in love with mindfulness which is very much a spiritual practice. I enrolled and was trained by Russ as an ACT Therapist and then began what was to become a 10,000 hour study into all aspects of mindfulness. I studied and researched mindful practice in all cultures and religions, especially the ancient ones. I also studied and researched the history of all therapies and the evolution of psychiatry.

I also studied the works of Spiritual Masters throughout history. My favourites are Rumi and Thich Nhat Hanh. I see myself as Awakened. I don’t identify as Christian or Buddhist but happy to be called a Deist. Why not join our Facebook group called Deism Spiritual Activists? You are also welcome to make a booking, it’s not always about the money. I love connecting with like minded souls! Mindful Love & Light Always!

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