Smith critically examines the claim that Meslier was a communist anarchist.

Smith explains Meslier’s three major objections to Christian morality, as taught by Jesus.

Smith explains the role of the Catholic Church in the French government, and how Meslier reconciled his atheism with his role as a priest.

Smith explains some of the libertarian ideas of Jean Meslier, the notorious atheist-priest.

Smith criticizes some features of Spinoza’s political theory, especially his theory of rights.

Smith explains the fundamentals of Spinoza’s theory of rights and government.

Smith continues his discussion of Spinoza by explaining how he defended freedom of religion and speech.

Smith explains how government is responsible for many of the current controversies over religious freedom.

Smith explains why Spinoza’s Theologico-Political Treatise became one of the most scandalous books ever published.

Smith discusses Spinoza’s controversial ideas about God, religion, and his criticism of the Design Argument.

Smith explains Bacon’s defense of certainty and his contributions to a secular worldview.

Pyrrhonic skepticism had a tremendous influence on religious debates in post-Reformation Europe.

Smith explains the political implications of the deistic repudiation of special revelation and miracles.

Smith explains the controversial arguments of the deist John Toland, as defended in Christianity not Mysterious.

Smith explains why Edward Gibbon rejected miraculous accounts in his masterpiece, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Smith explains the basic tenets of deism and why it posed a political threat.

Smith explains the origins of deism and its basic ideas.

Smith explains some tactics that early freethinkers used in the attempt to avoid punishment for blasphemy and other religious crimes.