Ethan Allen, the famous American revolutionary and leader of the Green Mountain Boys was also a well-known Deist. A militant Deist, in fact. In this article, we’ll explore Ethan Allen’s life, his connection to Deism, and how his beliefs shaped his actions and contributions to the American Revolution.
Allen was born in Connecticut in 1738 and was known for his wit and charisma. He was a farmer and businessman who became a leader of the Green Mountain Boys, a group of settlers in Vermont who fought for independence from New York. Allen also wrote the influential “Reason the Only Oracle of Man” (1784), his one book on Deism.
Ethan Allen’s Deism was a key part of his life and beliefs. He believed in a higher power or creator but rejected organized religion and the idea of a personal deity. He also rejected men attempting to act as Gods. Instead, he believed in using reason and evidence to form his beliefs and lived his life according to his own values and beliefs.
Allen’s Deism also influenced his actions during the American Revolution. He believed in the importance of personal freedom and independence and fought against the British to secure these rights for himself and his fellow Americans. He strongly advocated for religious tolerance and believed that people should be free to practice their own religion or beliefs without interference from the state.
Ethan Allen’s contributions to the American Revolution were significant, and his leadership and bravery helped secure independence for the new nation. He was captured by the British near Montreal in 1775 and spent nearly three years as a prisoner before being released in a prisoner exchange in 1778. Of course, he felt so strongly about the cause that he continued the fight immediately after his release.
In later years, Allen became an influential figure in Vermont. He wrote a popular account of his captivity and pamphlets on Vermont’s cause, but Reason the Only Oracle of Man was his one book on Deism. He died in 1789, but his legacy lives on as an example of a man who lived his life according to his beliefs and values and who fought for the rights and freedoms of others. To this day, Allen inspires those of us who believe in the importance of personal freedom, independence, and religious tolerance.