It is gratifying to see some thoughtful posts being made to this thread.
I am not certain that the title, using “Religion” accurately reflects Kirk - the article is a selection from a larger work.
I think it would be an interesting study to track back when and how the argument that the FF’s were Deist rather than Christian.
Found a 2004 FR thread on the subject of deism and the FF’s.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1274502/posts