In Our Time Deism
Oct 8, 2020
Join Richard Serjeantson, a Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, and Katie East, a Lecturer at Newcastle University, as they dive into the world of deism. They discuss Lord Herbert of Cherbury's five religious truths and how he became known as the Father of Deism. The conversation explores the challenges deists faced from traditional religious authorities and the clever use of irony in their writings. The cultural impact of print and public discourse, along with the tensions between reason and revelation, also take center stage in this fascinating exploration.
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Deism Defined
- 17th-century deists believed God created the universe but doesn't intervene.
- They sought to understand God through reason, not revelation, causing conflict with the Church.
Religious Freedom
- Post-Reformation, people had limited freedom of religious thought, especially in public expression.
- Deists often used irony and sarcasm to express their views.
Christianity's Power
- Christianity had significant political, social, and religious influence.
- Challenging Christianity was seen as threatening social and political stability.
