# Freethought and Freedom: Deism, The Age of Reason, and Richard Carlile

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/excursions/freethought-and-freedom-deism-the-age-of-reason-and-richard-carlile>

**By** George H. Smith

**Published:** November 8, 2017

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

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

[Originally published in essay form on March 27, 2015.](https://www.libertarianism.org/columns/freethought-freedom-deism-age-reason-richard-carlile)