The margins of orthodoxy : heterodox writing and cultural response, 1660-1750

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. Within The Margins: The Definitions Of Orthodoxy / J.f.a. Pocock -- Freethinking And Libertinism: The Legacy Of The English Revolution / Christopher Hill -- Anticlericalism And Authority In Lockean Political Thought / Richard Ashcraft -- John Locke: Conservative Radical / G.a.j. Rogers -- Samuel Parker, Religious Diversity, And The Ideology Of Persecution / Gordon Schochet -- Societies For The Reformation Of Manners: Between John Locke And The Devil In Augustan England / Shelley Burtt -- Irony As Subversion: Thomas Woolston And The Crime Of Wit / Roger D. Lund -- Limits Of Moderation In A Latitudinarian Parson: Or, High Church Zeal In A Low Churchman Discover'd / Jeffrey S. Chamberlain -- Deists And Anglicans: The Ancient Wisdom And The Idea Of Progress / Joseph M. Levine -- Henry Fielding And The Problem Of Deism / Ronald Paulson. Edited By Roger D. Lund. Eight Of The Essays In This Collection Were First Presented At The Le Moyne Forum On Religion And Literature, September 26-28, 1991--acknowledgement. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 271-292) And Index. 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 collection of essays, leading scholars examine the philosophical and rhetorical strategies involved, and show how the eighteenth-century assault on orthodoxy influenced the development of law, historiography, public policy, philosophy and the rise of the novel. The struggle between orthodox Anglicans and freethinkers is central to an understanding of religious power and political authority in the eighteenth century. In this 1999 book, leading scholars show how the assault on orthodoxy influenced the development of law, historiography, public policy, philosophy and the rise of the novel.