The struggle between orthodox Anglicans and the deists, freethinkers, and 'atheists' who opposed their exclusive claims to religious power and political authority reveals cultural practices and ideological assumptions central to an understanding of eighteenth-century thought. In this 1995 collection of essays, leading scholars look beyond the clash of philosophical propositions to examine the role of deists and freethinkers as the producers and the subjects of literary, philosophical and religious controversy. They explore the curious symbiosis between the defense of orthodoxy and the elaboration of new forms of heterodox argument; they examine the practical implications of the debate in specific areas such as the libel laws and the growing influence of Lockean philosophy; and they show how the assault on orthodoxy influenced the development of historiography, public policy, and even the rise of the novel.

This 1999 book explores the struggle between Anglicans and freethinkers, and its impact on eighteenth-century thought.
Reviews
"...outstanding study of the development of orthodoxy, heterodoxy, and toleration or religious diversity after the Restoration of 1660." Marcella Barton, Church History



Book Information
ISBN 9780521025980
Author Roger D. Lund
Format Paperback
Page Count 316
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 470g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 151mm * 17mm