Washington and Deism

You are quite correct in your definition of a deist, but upper class people like Jefferson and Washington were part of the Enlightenment and its way of thinking. I did a search on Washington and Deist where I found over 600,000 hits. This is a question with many sides to it. It's not one that can be easily settled. 


History is difficult to do. I did a search on "Washington Inaugural Prayer" which found this site


Washington's Inaugural Prayer


which reports that this was Washington's inaugural prayer.
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."


You can see that it is quite different. 


This source  


Washington 1752 Quote




had this quote under a Christian Nation


"George Washington, our first President, wrote in 1752, “Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou this day prescribed in Thy holy word….Direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ the way, the truth, and the life. Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land.” 


That's 1752 though and not almost forty years later at the inauguration. I need some help for a source for the prayer in your note. I believe its Washington's from an earlier period.  


As for Jefferson, anyone can start by reading the Jefferson Bible  


Jefferson's Bible


where the author edited the New Testament to include what he felt was essential and removed what he felt was not in keeping with essential truths. Anyone who edits and publishes a re-do of the New Testament is not a typical Christian. 


Results were about 407,000 for 'Jefferson deist'. so that is not an easily settled question either.  


For me this is an historical question that is right or wrong on that basis. I am interested in truth always and in driving out error in my thinking and in society's ' It has nothing to do with the truth or error of Deism and those believing in it. A good study of this question would include: 

1. A list of those who professed Deism
2. Examples of what Deists prayed and/or believed. 
3. Accusations of Christian Ministers at the time (1750-1800) 
4. A thorough examination of Deism 
5. A review of information about Washington and Jefferson's beliefs starting with a survey of those million sites.