Religious Skepticism in Victorian society?

Question

Any information supporting the idea that religious skepticism was prevalent in the nineteenth century would be great. I have half of my paper done and have already referenced things like the rise of science and Darwinism. If you would like to read it you can email me. I would love any criticism or comments.

I need to show how changing social classes and the increase of women rights play into RS as well...
Thank you for reading my question!

Answer 1

One item which supports the idea of religious skepticism -- along with religious liberalization -- in the 19th century was the application by a growing number of Christians of scientific and historical methods to biblical and theological studies (rather than regarding the Bible as literally true on all topics).

For example, see the story of William Robertson Smith, the co-editor of the famous Ninth Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1875-89).

He was subjected to a heresy trial after the publication of one of his articles in that Encyclopaedia, and was finally dismissed from his professorial chair at the Free Church College of Aberdeen. But by the end of the century the principles of biblical "higher criticism" for which he had argued were accepted by most British theologians and many clerics.

Answer 2

Have you mentioned Utilitarianism, Unitarianism, Transcendentalism, Spiritualism, or Theosophy?

You can find dozens of religions founded during the 19th century exploring a wide range of typically Asian ideas like reincarnation, Asian ascended masters etc. Have you mentioned the influence of the Asian trade? That England's empire not only brought Christianity to Asia, but also brought Buddhism, Hinduism and the Tao to Europe?

Answer 3

I'm no expert on this, but you might reference the influence of Hobbes, the materialist philosopher, Bentham's utilitarianism, and the development of socialist thought from Hegel to Marx. It could be maintained that these contributed to the eclipse of religious influence in critical areas of intellectual and social development..

Answer 4

A good source is Samuel Butler who wrote a book called Erewhon