1670day.year
John Toland
(1670 - 1722)
Irish philosopher and author
Irish philosopher and author
John Toland was an Irish philosopher and author who championed rational religion and is often credited with coining the term "pantheism". His bold ideas fueled Enlightenment debates.
Born in County Londonderry in 1670, Toland studied at the University of Glasgow before traveling across Europe to engage with leading thinkers. His 1696 work "Christianity Not Mysterious" argued that Christian doctrine should be subject to reason, challenging established church authority. In later writings, he explored pantheism and free thought, influencing figures like Voltaire and the early Unitarians. Toland's advocacy for religious tolerance and intellectual freedom made him a controversial yet pivotal figure in early Enlightenment philosophy. He died in 1722, leaving a legacy of critical inquiry and skepticism.
1670
John Toland