Freethought and Freedom: Shaftesbury on the Value of Ridicule Excursions E160 - Oct 18th, 2017 George H. Smith explores Shaftesbury’s defense of ridicule and satire in matters of religion. Download Episode Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify RSS George H. Smith explores Shaftesbury’s defense of ridicule and satire in matters of religion. Originally published in essay form on March 6, 2015.