What did the deists believe?

Deists held a belief in the existence of a supreme being or creator, often referred to as God, who designed the universe and established natural laws. However, they emphasized reason as the primary means of understanding the world and connecting with this deity, rather than relying on tradition, miracles, or clergy. This reliance on reason over revelation was a fundamental aspect of deism, distinguishing it from other religious beliefs that focus heavily on sacred texts or the authority of religious leaders.

By valuing rational thought and the observations of the natural world, deists argued that individuals could discern the existence and attributes of God, leading to a more personal interpretation of divinity that did not depend on the institutional structures typical of organized religion.