What Do Benjamin Franklin - 1283 Words

What do Benjamin Franklin, Charles Dickens, Paul Revere, Louisa May Alcott, Clara Barton, Charles Darwin, Frank Lloyd Wright, Abigail and John Adams, and Alexander Graham Bell have in common? Every one of these renowned men and women was a Unitarian or a Universalist. The Unitarian Universalist religion began as two separate religions: the Universalist Church of America, founded in 1793, and the American Unitarian Association, founded in 1825. Unitarianism originated in Poland, Transylvania and England, and then later developed in New England. Unitarians rejected the existence of the Holy Trinity and did not consider themselves a Christian denomination. Universalism formed after a divide between Baptist and Congregationalist churches that†¦show more content†¦Although Unitarian Universalism is not a conventional religion centered around the belief in a God, society has benefitted greatly from Unitarians over the years. The unrivaled inclusiveness of the Unitarian religion has given rise to their many significant contributions to society that include advocating for racial rights, women’s rights, and gay rights. Although the majority of progressive people see Unitarianism as a beneficial religion with principles that drive Unitarians to have a positive impact on society, there are others who do not share this view. Some people believe that an association such as Unitarianism which is not centered around the belief in a God could not possibly be an ethical religion and therefore does not benefit society. Many outsiders believe that a â€Å"religion† which welcomes atheists, Christians, Jews and Muslims (to name just a few of the religions that make up Unitarianism) cannot by definition be ethical. Extreme Muslims for instance are only accepting of those who believe that Allah is the only God. Additionally, many of the alleged â€Å"contributions† to society made by Unitarians, such as gay rights and reproductive rights, are controve rsial in the eyes of other religions. One of Unitarianism’s main contributions to society comes in the form of their advocacy for racial equality both inside and outside of their congregations. During the 1965 Selma Marches in Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reached out toShow MoreRelatedThe Life Of A Beautiful Mantelpiece Sat An Unusual Bust Of One Jane Austen1357 Words   |  6 Pagesvirtues that are taken up by Benjamin Franklin in his life to achieve earthly and heavenly success. Malsbary adds onto this study of virtues by taking a close look at one virtue in particular. â€Å"Virtue† has come through history, changing in some ways and staying the same in other ways. Many people have seen virtues as the way to complete the life of man. Homer saw virtue as that which fulfilled the social role the each man was born to take. Virtue was to do what one ought to do in their stature of lifeRead MoreEssay on Benjamin Franklin Gender Roles965 Words   |  4 Pagesthe story of a young man coming of age and finding success in the world and the story of a young woman coming of age and failing to do so. In either book, what gender roles prevailed?† In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, we are reading the path that one man took to go from a middle class child to a well respected adult. Benjamin Franklin created what we know today as the American dream. Today we understand the American dream to be that one can go from rags to riches with a littleRead MoreBenjamin Franklins Red Jacket Defends Native American Religion770 Words   |  4 Pages384 BC and even in today’s era where it is used by political leaders, spokesmen, etc. In a document written by Benjamin Franklin â€Å"Benjamin Franklin: Remarks concerning the Savages of North America† and in Red Jacket’s speech â€Å"Red Jacket Defends Native American Religion, 1805.† Ethos, logos, and pathos, along with other rhetorical devices are used by both Red Jacket and Benjamin Franklin, which is very important and can help with informing people, and even persuading them into side with a person duringRead MoreBenjamin Franklins Arriving at Per fection Essay953 Words   |  4 PagesPerfection? Can any one person be perfect? Benjamin Franklin believed that he could accomplish this task. Benjamin Franklin was known for being a cognizant and diligent perfectionist. During his lifetime, many people were concerned with correcting themselves of any fault that they may have had. Benjamin Franklin did have an interesting way to proclaim how he, could show everyone how to be perfect. He believes that he can make himself perfect. Even though his ways of being perfect are not the sameRead More Benjamin Franklin Essay1332 Words   |  6 PagesBenjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street in Boston on January 17th, 1706. His father was Josiah Franklin, a candle and soap maker. His mother was Abiah Folger and she was Josiahs second wife. Benjamin Franklin was the youngest son of 17 children. Benjamin attended Boston Latin School for two years but did not graduate because of lack of money; however he continued his education by reading grea t quantities. His parents wanted him to go into the church, however at age 10 his schooling ended and heRead MoreBenjamin Franklin s Accomplishments And Accomplishments Essay1608 Words   |  7 Pages As a founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin had a profound and noteworthy influence on the early growth of his nation. Franklin was a prestigious author and inventor that grasped the motive to grow the economy to new heights. His autobiography is an accurate representation of his achievements and the intrinsic motivations that made him the man we think of today. Although it is biased because he writes it only through his eyes, the reader can see the differences he made to theRead MoreBenjamin Franklin s Theory Of Life And Learning1433 Words   |  6 PagesBenjamin Franklin is known as a founding father, a self-made man, and a genius by historians around the world. These descriptors can be attributed to the fact that, while he never had a strong formal education, F ranklin challenged himself at every point of his life. He was full of curiosity, and had an unstoppable drive to succeed. In addition, Franklin’s autobiography, and many of his beliefs, still remain relevant today. James Dillon, in his article â€Å"A Wonder Based Approach to Life and LearningRead MoreBenjamin Franklin, the Father of Foreign Diplomacy Essay1467 Words   |  6 Pagesfreedom was the diplomatic travels of Benjamin Franklin. His travels to England and France set the foundation for the dealings in foreign diplomacy that are still in effect today. Without Benjamin Franklins wisdom, knowledge and courage to address Kings and Parliament on the behalf of the colonies, the American government, as we know it would not exist. Benjamin was born January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts the 15th of 17 children. His father, Josiah Franklin was a soap and candle maker andRead MoreThe Workings Of Greatness. Benjamin Franklin Started Writing1464 Words   |  6 PagesThe Workings of Greatness Benjamin Franklin started writing â€Å"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin† at age 65 in the year 1771. Benjamin Franklin was the fifteenth out of seventeen children his father had (having married two different women). He was the youngest son, having only two sisters under him. In this book â€Å"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin†, Franklin, because of the time by which he lived and wrote the book, uses very formal diction. Furthermore, it appears he has a sense of humorRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin1367 Words   |  6 PagesMatthew Matheny HIST 2020 A.P. Tammy Prater 23 November 2014 Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a detailed account of the illustrious experiences of Benjamin Franklin. Though the cultural differences in writing has changed since the 18th century one can learn a lot about one of America’s greatest forefathers through this book. It accounts for Franklin’s life when he was born January 17th, 1706 till the year 1757. Unfortunately, he died in 1790 and was never able to finish