The Theology of Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism

[Christian] Smith defines moralistic, therapeutic deism as expressing this sort of working theology:

1. God created the world.
2. God wants people to be good, nice and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and most world religions.
3. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.
4. God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when needed to resolve a problem.
5. Good people go to heaven when they die.

– Horton, Michael; Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church; Baker Books; Grand Rapids, MI; copyright 2008; p. 41