The Faith you mention has doubtless its use in the world; I do not desire to see it diminished, nor would I endeavor to lessen it in any Man. But I wish it were more productive of Good Works than I have generally seen it.
Benjamin Franklin, letter to Joseph Huey, June 6, 1753
Franklin always seemed to value actually doing good more than just speaking good words, or claiming a faith that had no outward good results.
That there is such a Person as The Devil is no part of my Faith, nor that of many other Christians; nor am I sure that it was the belief of any of the christian Writers. Neither do I believe the doctrine of demoniacal possessions, whether it was believed by the sacred Writers or not; and yet my unbelief in these Articles does not affect my faith in the great facts of which the Evangelists were eye and ear Witnesses.
John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1814
