Deism And Pantheism Are Not "Get Out Of Jail Free" Cards

"Let’s shatter some illusions. For years, I've been the executioner of traditional gods, using the guillotine of logic and the noose of empiricism to make quick work of these divine phantasms. But today, we're breaking into the high-security vaults of "rational theism"—Deism and Pantheism—often heralded as unassailable by even the most erudite skeptics. Not even Einstein or Spinoza are safe from the crucifying lens of critical thinking. What we're about to expose could topple the very pillars of your intellectual sanctuary." 

Click on the link below for an article that destroys these two ideas that many use to avoid labeling themselves atheists:

The Death of Reasonable Gods: Einstein and Spinoza's Failure
How Pantheism and Deism Fail, The Gods of Last Resort

Thomas Paine: Founding Father, Science-Based Thinker

Thomas Paine was not one of the Founding Fathers that easily comes to mind for some people, especially if one is conservative and/or a Christian. As were many of the Founders, Paine was a Deist, which was reasonable prior to the work of Darwin and others regarding evolution. Ironically, Paine, like most traditional conservatives today, was not in favor of a powerful government. Below are a few samples of his quotes, with a link to many more:

https://www.google.com/search?q=thomas+paine+quotes

Is Deism Reasonable?

As many of you know, I was a Devout Catholic most of my adult life.  I eventually concluded that there is no evidence for an interventionist god, thus, now I consider myself an atheist.  Please note, us atheists do not claim that there is no god.  We only don't accept the claims that there is an interventionist god because there is no evidence for such.  Period.

Given the above, what do atheists think about the obvious intelligent life all around us, within humans and other higher animals?  Was there an intelligent God who started it all?  Who knows?  If one is a science-based thinker, the discussion is over, let the mystery be.  If one accepts the claim that there was a god who started it all then has not intervened in our affairs, then one is not a *science-based thinker. Thus, Deism, while not as much of a threat to society as theism, still supports belief without evidence.  Please think hard about this.  Thanks.

* If you accept any claim without evidence, you are not a science-based thinker.  Thus, if you are either a theist OR a deist, why are you not a science-based thinker?  I know why I am such.