Abstract
Historians have been uncertain whether to characterise English Deism as a secularising movement or a particular strand of theology. It is argued that, despite the high degree of theological and biblical learning displayed by writers such as Blount and, in particular, Toland, their main purpose was to undermine the religious claim to authority by both church and state.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Columbia History of Western Philosophy |
| Editors | R. H. Popkin |
| Place of Publication | New York |
| Publisher | Columbia University Press |
| Pages | 437-445 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0231101287 |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Keywords
- Deism
- England
- Charles Blount
- John Toland