Deism

=== Ancient history ===
{{main|History of philosophy}}

Deistical thinking has existed since [[Ancient history|ancient times]]; the roots of Deism can be traced back to the [[Ancient Greek philosophy|philosophical tradition]] of [[Ancient Greece]].{{sfn|Piland|2011|p=4}} The 3rd-century Christian theologian and philosopher [[Clement of Alexandria]] explicitly mentioned persons who believed that [[God]] was not involved in human affairs, and therefore led what he considered a licentious life.<ref>''Stromata'', book 7, ch. 3. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (eds.), ''Ante-Nicene Christian Library: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to AD 325'', vol. 12, p. 416</ref> However, Deism did not develop as a religio-philosophical movement until after the [[Scientific Revolution]], which began in the mid-16th century in [[early modern Europe]].{{sfn|Piland|2011|p=5}}