The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Religion

There are two big things going on with religion in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: Franklin's attitude towards organized religion/attending church, and his belief in God. For him, those things are really separate. In this text, being religious isn't about attending church, donating to pastors' plans, or observing what are sometimes seen (by Franklin) as arbitrary rules. Instead, it's about believing in God, praying honestly, being virtuous, and doing good works. Franklin's kind of mystified by the different religious people he comes across (Quakers, Moravians, Dunkers), and doesn't subscribe to any of their customs. He's all about communicating with God in his own way, according to his own systems.

Questions About Religion

1. Of all the religious sects described in Franklin's book – Presbyterians, Deists, Quakers, Moravians, and Dunkers – which does he make sound the most interesting and why?
2. What do you notice about Franklin's encounters with the two visiting preachers, Hemphill and Whitefield? What, if anything, is missing from these accounts?
3. Would you join up with any of the personalized religions Franklin temporarily creates? Do you think he's convincing in his arguments against organized religion?

Chew on This

Despite his arguments against organized religion, in explaining his belief in God and the pious practices he follows, Franklin shows himself to be as, if not more, observant as traditional "believers."

Franklin's Autobiography presents many practitioners of organized religion in a poor light, showing them as more focused on following specific tenets and practices – in other words, concentrating on observing their particular customs – than on really working on ideas of virtue and humility.