Liberalist before their time
...hemselves, but relied on God heavily. In Benjamin Franklin’s “Autobiography,” he concludes: My Belief of This, induces me to hope, tho’ I must not presume, that the same Goodness will still be exercis’d towards me in continuing that Happiness, or in enabling me to bear a fatal Reverso, which I may experience as others have done, the Complexion of my future Fortune being known to him only: and in whose Power it is to bless to us even our Afflictions (Franklin 224-225). It is clear that Benjamin Franklin does not believe in predestination, rather in God only knowing the outcome of his faith. The Puritans believed in predestination and that there was no hope for the ones that were not destined to be with God. Second, was Thomas Jefferson whom relied own his experience. In Thomas Jefferson’s “Autobiography,” he utilizes his understanding of the government and religion to deliver a persuasive presentation. In general congress he presented a declaration that plainly stated, “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation”(Jefferson 325). Jefferson is concluding that segregation is a threat to mankind. The Puritans participated in segregation. They were searching for spiritual perfection, and other people that practiced their principles. The Puritans “came to America to set up a society/ theocracy where they could practice their religious beliefs without persecution”(“Puritan”). Thomas Jefferson was seeking for people to have the ability to come together, regardless of religion, color or creed. Thomas Jefferson felt that we are all equal. This is clear in his statement, “We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal”(Jefferson 325). Equality is not a Puritan belief, as mentioned before Puritans believed in predetermined destination. Third, was Thomas Paine whom wanted freedom. Thomas Paine was a persuasive man that wanted to protect free will and impartiality. Thomas Paine changed history: he “galvanized the America and the French Revolution, and all by writing about freedom and individual rights”(“Thomas Paine”). In his sermon, “Common Sense,” he critically remarks, “Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America is a strong and natural proof that the authority of the one over the other was never the design of Heaven”(Paine ...