Where Did the Word Freethinker Come from?

The term freethinker emerged towards the end of the 17th century in England to describe those who stood in opposition to the institution of the Church, and the literal belief in the Bible.

Where does the word freethinker come from?

The term freethinker emerged towards the end of the 17th century in England to describe those who stood in opposition to the institution of the Church, and the literal belief in the Bible.

Are philosophers freethinkers?

In a more restricted sense, freethinkers are those 17th-, 18th- and 19th- century philosophers and scientists, e.g., Anthony Collins, (1676–1729), Lord Shaftesbury (1671–1713), Denis Diderot, Thomas paine, Charles darwin, and Herbert spencer, who maintained that the teachings of Christianity—as contained in Scripture, ...