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Perkins corrects previous views of Harpur's religious convictions, arguing that Harpur was too independent and self-reliant to be labelled a socialist and his faith in God, while not connected to a particular sect, cannot be seen simply as 'a vague deism'. Perkins argues that Harpur, while exploring the ideas of American transcendentalism, questioned the nature of divinity, but remained strongly committed to a christian faith.