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Chapter 15 - Religion

from Part II - Social, Cultural, and Intellectual Contexts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2024

By
James Bryant Reeves
Edited by
Michael Griffin  and
David O'Shaughnessy
Michael Griffin
Affiliation:
University of Limerick
David O'Shaughnessy
Affiliation:
University of Galway
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Summary

This chapter argues that for Oliver Goldsmith religious belief was thoroughly embedded in the world. It was not defined by theological niceties or intellectual conviction but by the rhythms of Anglican ritual and everyday acts of reverence, piety, and benevolence. Culture and politics were, therefore, inseparable from religion. With this in mind, the religion/secular divide that permeates much of our contemporary thinking must be abandoned when we approach Goldsmith’s work. His engagement with religion should be assessed not according to the doctrines he explicitly espoused (or failed to espouse) but according to religion’s practical function within his oeuvre.

Keywords

CatholicsProtestantsThe Vicar of WakefieldThe History of EnglandThe Citizen of the World
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Chapter
Information
Oliver Goldsmith in Context , pp. 126 - 132
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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