Deism vs. Atheism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Deism believes in a creator who doesn't intervene in the universe; Atheism denies the existence of any deity.
Difference Between Deism and Atheism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Deism posits a creator who set the universe in motion but remains uninvolved. Atheism, conversely, denies any deity's existence.
In Deism, the deity is often likened to a watchmaker. Atheism rejects all forms of divine beings or creators.
Deism emerged during the Enlightenment, advocating reason over revelation. Atheism spans various philosophies, united in the absence of belief in gods.
Deists may believe in a moral framework set by the deity. Atheists typically derive morals from secular, humanistic principles.
Deism does not adhere to organized religion or divine intervention. Atheism lacks belief in any supernatural entities or afterlife.
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Comparison Chart
Belief in Deity
Believes in a non-intervening creator
Denies the existence of any deity
View on Revelation
Values reason over revealed religion
Rejects religious texts as divine revelation
Divine Intervention
Rejects any form of divine intervention
Does not believe in any divine entities
Organized Religion
Typically independent of organized religion
Often distances from organized religion
Moral Framework
May believe in deity-set morals
Derives morals from secular or humanistic values
Compare with Definitions
Deism
Acceptance of a non-intervening creator.
In deism, God is likened to a watchmaker.
Atheism
Disbelief or lack of belief in deities.
Her atheism stemmed from a scientific worldview.
Deism
A philosophy valuing reason over revelation.
Deism was influential during the Enlightenment era.
Atheism
Rejection of religious beliefs and deities.
Atheism often encourages critical thinking about religion.
Deism
The belief in a creator based on nature and reason.
Deism appeals to those seeking spirituality without dogma.
Atheism
Absence of belief in gods or supernatural beings.
In atheism, moral values are derived from humanistic principles.
Deism
Belief in a creator who doesn't govern the universe.
His belief in deism led him to question organized religion.
Atheism
Philosophical stance denying the existence of god(s).
Atheism can coexist with various secular philosophies.
Deism
A form of theism without reliance on revealed religion.
His deist beliefs distanced him from traditional theism.
Atheism
Non-acceptance of any form of divine existence.
His atheism was influenced by rationalist arguments.
Deism
Deism ( DEE-iz-əm or DAY-iz-əm; derived from Latin "deus" meaning "god") is the philosophical position that rejects revelation as a source of religious knowledge and asserts that reason and observation of the natural world are sufficient to establish the existence of a Supreme Being or creator of the universe.At least as far back as Thomas Aquinas, Christian thought has recognized two sources of knowledge of God: revelation and "natural reason". The study of the truths revealed by reason is called natural theology.
Atheism
Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist.
Deism
A religious belief holding that God created the universe and established rationally comprehensible moral and natural laws but does not intervene in human affairs through miracles or supernatural revelation.
Atheism
Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.
Deism
A philosophical belief in the existence of a god (or goddess) knowable through human reason; especially, a belief in a creator god unaccompanied by any belief in supernatural phenomena or specific religious doctrines.
Atheism
Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
Deism
Belief in a god who ceased to intervene with existence after acting as the cause of the cosmos.
Atheism
(narrowly) Belief that no deities exist (sometimes including rejection of other religious beliefs).
Deism
The doctrine or creed of a deist; the belief or system of those who acknowledge the existence of one God, but deny revelation.
Atheism
(broadly) Rejection of belief that any deities exist (with or without a belief that no deities exist).
Deism
The form of theological rationalism that believes in God on the basis of reason without reference to revelation
Atheism
(very broadly) Absence of belief that any deities exist (including absence of the concept of deities).
Atheism
(historical) Absence of belief in a particular deity, pantheon, or religious doctrine (notwithstanding belief in other deities).
Atheism
The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness.
Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded.
Atheism
Godlessness.
Atheism
The doctrine or belief that there is no God
Atheism
A lack of belief in the existence of God or gods
Common Curiosities
What is the core belief of deism?
Deism believes in a creator who doesn't interfere in the universe.
Does atheism reject all spiritual beliefs?
Not necessarily; it rejects belief in deities but can include other spiritualities.
Can an atheist be spiritual?
Yes, one can be spiritual without believing in deities.
Is deism compatible with science?
Yes, many deists view the laws of nature as part of the divine creation.
How do deists view organized religion?
They often distance themselves from organized religion.
Do atheists believe in souls?
Most do not, as they generally reject supernatural concepts.
Do deists follow a holy book?
Typically no, as deism emphasizes reason over revelation.
Is atheism a form of religion?
No, it's a lack of belief in deities, not a religious system.
Do atheists have moral values?
Yes, but they often derive them from humanistic or secular principles.
Do deists pray or worship?
Generally not, as they believe the creator doesn't intervene.
Can deists believe in an afterlife?
Views vary, but generally, deism doesn't focus on an afterlife.
Is deism a form of Christianity?
No, it's a distinct belief system, separate from Christianity.
Is atheism based on scientific evidence?
It's often influenced by a scientific understanding of the world.
Can an atheist be ethical?
Absolutely, ethics and atheism are not mutually exclusive.
Is deism a widely practiced belief?
It's less common than major religions but has a historical significance.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
