Did Mark Twain believe in God? This is a complex question, as his beliefs towards religion, and theism in general, shift over the course of his life. In his works, he ranges from dismissing religion altogether, to embracing it with irony, while suggesting a view of morality that transcends it.
Twain was born in 1835 in Missouri, a state in the US, yet heavily influenced by prophetic, based Christianity. His childhood was overshadowed by his father’s death when Twain was eleven. Childhood tragedies of this scale often lead to life-long questions about the existence of God.
At age 14, Twain was baptized, along with his brother, into the Presbyterian church. Yet, this does not necessarily translate into a belief in God. The formality of baptism in this era was more convention than a sign of religious conviction. Similarly, his later period of attending Grace Church in Hartford, Connecticut, in the late ninetieth century, may have been more a reflection of societal expectations than a deep conviction.
In his writing, Twain brings up morality in a way that shifts our understanding of religion as an answer to such questions. In his often humorous stories and reflections, Twain suggests that morality is not a faith-based practice, but exists within humanity itself. For example, in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses satire to bring out the moral of the novel without explicitly referring to religious doctrine. Similarly, his works, such as The War Prayer, imply that religious morality can sometimes have a negative effect on society. This lack of deference towards God, while still holding moral values, is often seen in Twain’s works.
Twain famously said, ‘F*** God,’ and in his autobiography, stated he stands art abolitionist, agnostic and republican, though not necessarily in that order. This suggests a distancing from religion, yet leaves open space to explore other forms of morality. Similarly, Twain’s understanding of “religion” as seen in The War Prayer refers more to a relationship with an authority rather than an independent sense of morality.
Twain’s relationship with faith and morality is a complex one. While he honors some parts of his upbringing, his works and life explorations suggest he did not necessarily believe in a deity or a faith-based morality. Instead, the moral values that he embodied imply a more humanistic view of life and how one should act.
Relationship With Christianity
As an author and public figure, Twain often clashed with organized religion. Other than his formal baptism as a young adult and occasional participation at Grace Church, there is no evidence to suggest he was rooted in any faith. His interactions with Christianity show a deep scrutiny of its practices and beliefs, rather than a belief in it.
Twain’s father was highly influential in this regard, exposing Twain to the reformers William MacCready and Charles Rollin, as well as religious “heretic” Friedrich Schleiermacher. Throughout his life, Twain remained in conversation with such influences and themes, often leaving open-ended questions regarding the role of faith and belief. In one notorious passage in Innocents Abroad, Twain writes of his views in Jerusalem: “No other city has so fallen, so grievously deteriorated. It is the record of ages of oppression, tyranny and fanaticism—of Islamism and Judaism”.
Though Twain found some solace in Christianity, it often collided with his moral values, which tended to be secular in nature. He writes in his autobiography of his distaste for an intellectual faith: “I despise intellectual belief”. This likely hints to a belief in moral behavior and an understanding of spiritual experience that is not bound by the traditional churches of his era.
Spiritual Values Beyond Religion
The research into Twain’s spiritual beliefs varies in what it reveals. Yet, it does suggest that he had a complex view of religion and faith. While he largely or partly dismissed Christianity and organized religion in its entirety, he suggested a spiritual experience that existed beyond it.
It appears that Twain believed in the power of human morality and the internal experience of spiritual emotion. This is embodied in his works such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Innocents Abroad and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, which all explore morality in a secular context. His spiritual side may be seen in his musings on death, as well as in passages that pay homage to nature’s wonders.
Twain’s uncertainty leaves much to be desired. But, regardless of his view on God, it is clear that he sought a path beyond formal religious instruction. Twain found solace in his moral compass, while still questioning the relationship between morality and belief.
The Influence Of Upbringing
Twain’s initial engagement with religion was likely due to his influence from his surroundings, rather than an intrinsic belief in God. Twain’s memoirs and letters detail his dissatisfaction with the church, which suggests he was never comfortable subscribing to it.
Twain’s era was one considered to be a Christian nation, when religious belief was often understood to be a cornerstone of morality. While Twain was two young to remember, the era he was born into was heavily affected by the Second Great Awakening. This influenced both Twain’s understanding of how people act, as well as the pre-existing contrast between the modern and tradition handed down from his family.
As a result of his upbringing, Twain likely never consciously chose religion, although, some Christian influences may remain buried in his works. Such influences likely helped him formulate his views, which often illustrate a belief in God, while acknowledging that faith-based morality can be flawed and hypocritical.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is difficult to ascertain with certainty what Mark Twain believed in. He was raised in a highly Christian environment, but his adult life appears to be marked by a critique of such faith. His works show a desire for morality that did not rely on religion, instead suggesting moral values and spiritual feelings that remained undefined by faith.
Wherever his view of belief landed, Twain left a lasting influence on American culture and literature. His views of faith and morality remain relevant today, offering the potential for spiritual understanding beyond the confines of doctrine.
