Classical Deism was defined by Lord Herbert of Cherbury (d. 1648) and
was one of the earliest proponents of Deism in England.
In his book "De
Veritate," (1624), he described the "Five Articles" of English Deists:
1. Belief in the existence of a single supreme God
2. Humanity's duty to revere God
3. Linkage of worship with practical morality
4. God will forgive us if we repent and abandon our sins
5. Good works will be rewarded (and punishment for evil) both in life and after death.
Source - Exploring Deism, its Origins and History
Or in Modern Terms
1 - I believe in a Supreme Creator but NOT in a personal saviour
2 - We should revere the creator, or Natures God
3 - We should strive to be and act morally according to the laws under which we live
4 - Forgiveness shows mercy and love. This has nothing to do with any god
5 - Karma - you reap what you sow - you brought it on yourself by your actions.
Benjamin Franklin was a Deist. He wrote the following in 1790 CE
Here is my creed. I believe in One God, the Creator of the Universe.
That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped.
That the most acceptable Service we can render Him is doing good to his
other children. That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated
with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I
take to be the fundamental principles of all sound religion.
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