I don't believe God "abandoned" the world after creating it, does that mean I'm not deist?

Question

That is a classic deist thought, that God created the world and then left it to run on its own, and never gets involved.

I don't think that's QUITE right. I think there's a god, that this god created the world, and doesn't get involved in it or its workings, but hasn't ABANDONED it. That kind of suggests that God doesn't care - and I think it's a little more complicated than that, and that God "works behind the scenes" and definitely DOES care.

Answer 1

If God revealed himself then no one could make a choice to freely follow him, so he remains behind the scenes.

28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?

Moses 7:29

29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?

Moses 7:30

30 And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;

Moses 7:31

31 And thou hast taken Zion to thine own bosom, from all thy creations, from all eternity to all eternity; and naught but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?

Moses 7:32

32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;

Moses 7:33

33 And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;

Answer 2

If you believe that God created everything, but doesn't interfere - yet are uncomfortable with the idea that he doesn't care - then try this:

The deist God is like a scientist.  He started the experiment, including the rules under which it operates, and doesn't interfere (which would invalidate the experiment).  But he does watch, and is profoundly interested in the outcome.

As an atheist, I don't personally agree with this scenario.  But if I were a deist, that's the way I would look at it.

Answer 3

Then you are a Theist. You believe in a God who intervenes with this world...At least on certain situations.

Edit: Well like said before, you could still consider yourself a Deist. If the deity does not actually interfere with the world, that is technically Deism.

Answer 4

If you believe in the intervention of a god than you are a theist.

Answer 5

Very fine line, but I think in most people opinion you can still call yourself deist.

Answer 6

That is the beauty of being a deist Kevin - you aren't defined by any rules - you simply believe in the existence of a higher power.

The idea of God as the great Clockmaker was popularized during the Enlightenment by Voltaire who believed what you said - God created the world, then sort of sat back and left the world to its own devices.  I don't know whether or not Voltaire thought that God abandoned the world, but I know he believed that God did not run interference.  

It really doesn't matter how other people classify you - if you believe that you are a deist, then I would say you are.  The term deist merely implies that you have beliefs in a higher power, but the word itself does not imply a specific belief as far as I know.  According to the other answerers, a theist believes in an intervening God, while a deist believes in what I would call a "spectator" God.  So it all comes down to what you mean by God working behind the scenes - is He actively working behind the scenes right now or did He work behind the scenes and is now in the audience watching His work unfold?  I think that is what it comes down to.

Peace!

Answer 7

My opinion is, if you think God "works behind the scenes" you are not a Deist.  

As I'm sure you already understand, Deism was what educated men of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries professed if they were scientifically inclined.  The idea that God "abandoned" the Earth is central to the idea that humanity is able to learn the truth for itself and solve its own problems, an important Deist ethic.  

It sounds like you prefer a sort of God-the-Father without any entangling alliances with human religion.  I'm sure there's a particular word for what I'm trying to describe, but I can't seem to think of it.  (How I hate having these "senior moments.")

Edit:  After reading the others, I think some variation of theist definitely applies, though perhaps you need an additional term to distinguish yourself from the much more typical god-believer.  How about, physical theist?  ...or perhaps, objective theist?  That would distinguish you from all those who imagine God can be found as an abstraction within their own mind.  If you think God created the universe and still lurks within our objective realm, but has nothing whatever to do with all the usual religious claptrap, physical theist could be it.  (I'm assumming you don't imagine God is part of your mind.)

Anyway, only you can know the best way to describe your own beliefs.  

Peace and Love....

Answer 8

You are right on target. Caring but not involved other than through natural law.

I think the Prodigal Son story describes the situation very well. Humans chose to leave home for a foreign land. So the Father gave the child the freedom to go anywhere for the adventure. When they are ready to come home they just need to know how to return to the eternal abode.

That may not be the way you see it, but I do agree with your general premise. I think it is right on target.

Answer 9

so God created the world, didn't abandon it but isn't involved? sounds like you're saying the same thing.  

Answer 10

If you are right, how can there be this "Free Will" your book talks about.  You cannot influence someone then claim they have free will.  You showing yourself and influencing decisions or lives just proved you do exist right?