Daily Bible Verse

[jcribb16]

Ben Franklin, cont....

Franklin was an enthusiastic supporter of the evangelical minister George Whitefield during the First Great Awakening. Franklin did not subscribe to Whitefield’s theology, but he admired Whitefield for exhorting people to worship God through good works. Franklin published all of Whitefield’s sermons and journals, thereby boosting the Great Awakening.[102]

When he stopped attending church, Franklin wrote in his autobiography:

    ... Sunday being my studying day, I never was without some religious principles. I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that He made the world, and governed it by His providence; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter.[103][104]

Franklin retained a lifelong commitment to the Puritan virtues and political values he had grown up with, and through his civic work and publishing, he succeeded in passing these values into the American culture permanently. He had a “passion for virtue”.[105] These Puritan values included his devotion to egalitarianism, education, industry, thrift, honesty, temperance, charity and community spirit.[106]

The classical authors read in the Enlightenment period taught an abstract ideal of republican government based on hierarchical social orders of king, aristocracy and commoners. It was widely believed that English liberties relied on their balance of power, but also hierarchical deference to the privileged class.[107] “Puritanism ... and the epidemic evangelism of the mid-eighteenth century, had created challenges to the traditional notions of social stratification”[108] by preaching that the Bible taught all men are equal, that the true value of a man lies in his moral behavior, not his class, and that all men can be saved.[108] Franklin, steeped in Puritanism and an enthusiastic supporter of the evangelical movement, rejected the salvation dogma, but embraced the radical notion of egalitarian democracy.

Franklin’s commitment to teach these values was itself something he gained from his Puritan upbringing, with its stress on “inculcating virtue and character in themselves and their communities.”[109] These Puritan values and the desire to pass them on, were one of Franklin’s quintessentially American characteristics, and helped shape the character of the nation. Franklin's writings on virtue were derided by some European authors, such as Jackob Fugger in his critical work Portrait of American Culture. Max Weber considered Franklin's ethical writings a culmination of the Protestant ethic, which ethic created the social conditions necessary for the birth of capitalism.[110]

One of Franklin's famous characteristics was his respect, tolerance and promotion of all churches. Referring to his experience in Philadelphia, he wrote in his autobiography, "new Places of worship were continually wanted, and generally erected by voluntary Contribution, my Mite for such purpose, whatever might be the Sect, was never refused."[103] “He helped create a new type of nation that would draw strength from its religious pluralism.”[111] The first generation of Puritans had been intolerant of dissent, but by the early 18th century, when Franklin grew up in the Puritan church, tolerance of different churches was the norm, and Massachusetts was known, in John Adams' words, as “’the most mild and equitable establishment of religion that was known in the world.’”[112] The evangelical revivalists who were active mid-century, such as Franklin’s friend and preacher, George Whitefield, were the greatest advocates of religious freedom, “claiming liberty of conscience to be an ‘inalienable right of every rational creature.’”[113] Whitefield’s supporters in Philadelphia, including Franklin, erected “a large, new hall, that...could provide a pulpit to anyone of any belief.”[114] Franklin’s rejection of dogma and doctrine and his stress on the God of ethics and morality and civic virtue, made him the “prophet of tolerance.”[115] While he was living in London in 1774, he was present at the birth of British Unitarianism, attending the inaugural session of the Essex Street Chapel, at which Theophilus Lindsey drew together the first avowedly Unitarian congregation in England; this was somewhat politically risky, and pushed religious tolerance to new boundaries, as a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity was illegal until the 1813 Act.[116]

[jcribb16]

Ben Franklin, continued (3rd posting)...

   Although Franklin's parents had intended for him to have a career in the Church,[10] Franklin as a young man adopted the Enlightenment religious belief in deism, that God’s truths can be found entirely through nature and reason.[117] "I soon became a thorough Deist."[118] As a young man he rejected Christian dogma in a 1725 pamphlet A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain,[119] which he later saw as an embarrassment,[120] while simultaneously asserting that God is "all wise, all good, all powerful."[120] He defended his rejection of religious dogma with these words: "I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me." After the disillusioning experience of seeing the decay in his own moral standards, and those of two friends in London whom he had converted to Deism, Franklin turned back to a belief in the importance of organized religion, on the pragmatic grounds that without God and organized churches, man will not be good.[121] Moreover, because of his proposal that prayers be said in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, many have contended that in his later life, Franklin became a pious Christian.[122][123]

At one point, he wrote to Thomas Paine, criticizing his manuscript, The Age of Reason:

    For without the Belief of a Providence that takes Cognizance of, guards and guides and may favour particular Persons, there is no Motive to Worship a Deity, to fear its Displeasure, or to pray for its Protection ... think how great a Proportion of Mankind consists of weak and ignorant Men and Women, and of inexperienc'd and inconsiderate Youth of both Sexes, who have need of the Motives of Religion to restrain them from Vice, to support their Virtue, and retain them in the Practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the great Point for its Security; And perhaps you are indebted to her originally that is to your Religious Education, for the Habits of Virtue upon which you now justly value yourself. If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it.[124]

According to David Morgan,[125] Franklin was a proponent of religion in general. He prayed to "Powerful Goodness" and referred to God as "the infinite". John Adams noted that Franklin was a mirror in which people saw their own religion: "The Catholics thought him almost a Catholic. The Church of England claimed him as one of them. The Presbyterians thought him half a Presbyterian, and the Friends believed him a wet Quaker." Whatever else Franklin was, concludes Morgan, "he was a true champion of generic religion." In a letter to Richard Price, Franklin stated that he believed that religion should support itself without help from the government, claiming; "When a Religion is good, I conceive that it will support itself; and, when it cannot support itself, and God does not take care to support, so that its Professors are oblig'd to call for the help of the Civil Power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one."[126]

In 1790, just about a month before he died, Franklin wrote a letter to Ezra Stiles, president of Yale University, who had asked him his views on religion:

    As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble ...[11]

On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed a three-member committee composed of Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to design the Great Seal of the United States. Franklin's proposal (which was not adopted) featured the motto: "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God" and a scene from the Book of Exodus, with Moses, the Israelites, the pillar of fire, and George III depicted as pharaoh. The design that was produced was never acted upon by Congress and the Great Seal's design was not finalized until a third committee was appointed in 1782.[127][128]

[jcribb16]

Ben Franklin, last continued post (I know, I know, it was a tad long, but it gave Franklin's views that I feel are very important here.)...

Thirteen Virtues

Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of 13 virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his 13 virtues as:

 1.    "Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
 2.    "Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
 3.    "Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
 4.    "Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
 5.    "Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
 6.    "Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
 7.    "Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
 8.    "Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
 9.    "Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
10.    "Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."
11.    "Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
12.    "Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
13.    "Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

Franklin did not try to work on them all at once. Instead, he would work on one and only one each week "leaving all others to their ordinary chance". While Franklin did not live completely by his virtues and by his own admission, he fell short of them many times, he believed the attempt made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness, which is why in his autobiography, he devoted more pages to this plan than to any other single point; in his autobiography Franklin wrote, "I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit."[129]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_franklin#Virtue.2C_religion.2C_and_personal_beliefs

[falcon9]

Ben Franklin was a freemason.  Freemasonry's initiates maintained an outer veneer of xtianity while this was not reflected by the more senior initiates, such as Franklin and several 'founding fathers'.

[lhz123]

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. — Hebrews 11:1 (CEV)

[falcon9]

"Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see." — Hebrews 11:1 (CEV)

No, "faith" is a belief which lacks evidence/"proof".  As such, an empty "belief" does not constitute evidence, (but does demonstrate a lack of reasoning ability and reliance upon irrationality).

[jstein2]

"Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see." — Hebrews 11:1 (CEV)

No, "faith" is a belief which lacks evidence/"proof".  As such, an empty "belief" does not constitute evidence, (but does demonstrate a lack of reasoning ability and reliance upon irrationality).

You have your definition of faith and we have ours. As for me, I choose to accept the one given to us by God.

[falcon9]

"Faith" is a belief which lacks evidence/"proof".  As such, an empty "belief" does not constitute evidence, (but does demonstrate a lack of reasoning ability and reliance upon irrationality).

You have your definition of faith and we have ours. As for me, I choose to accept the one given to us by God.

Firstly, it's not 'my' personal definition; it's part of the general consensus definition, not some parochial, narrow religious definition.  Secondly, the 'bible' is not a fax or memo from 'g-d', it's a transliteration of mistranslated mythologies.

[jcribb16]

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

11:1-3 "Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith.

It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good.

This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honourable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings.

 The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God."

[falcon9]

No valid or substantive evidence has been produced to support such religious claims.  Those specious claims remain a matter of blind faith, (belief lacking evidence).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

11:1-3 "Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith.

It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good.

This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honourable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings.

 The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God."

[lhz123]

Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return. — Proverbs 11:25 (CEV)

[falcon9]

— Proverbs 11:25 (CEV)

[Flackle]

Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return. — Proverbs 11:25 (CEV)

Person A has a cup of water. Person B has a cup of water.
Person A gives water to person B. Person B gives water to person A.
As a result, Person A now has a cup of water and Person B now has a cup of water.

Congrats on wasting everyone's time with that one. We're better off just keeping our each others cup of water.

[heavenlyscent]

That is a great scripture and the holy bible is a great good book to meditate and learn in our lives,it teaches us wisdom,knowledge and understanding....
its better than gold and what money can buy..

[falcon9]

... the holy bible is a great good book to meditate and learn in our lives ...

No, it's a haphazardly translated and retranslated combination of sanctimonious, unsubstantiated religious myth; partly stolen outright from prior pagan belief systems and jumbled together in order to assimulate them.   

it teaches us wisdom,knowledge and understanding....

Those religious adherents who use it to thump religious propaganda have acquired neither wisdom, knowledge or understanding because blind faith does not lead to such qualities or promote it.

... its better than gold and what money can buy..

On the contrary, I'm trained as a master bookbinder and no 'bible' is worth the paper printed on, nor the binding cover which attempts to conceal the deceit of proselytization from the ones who eschew reason for gullibility.