Locke’s Ideas: Tolerance, Church-State Separation, and Individual Freedom
Locke: Historical Context
Locke lived during a turbulent period in 17th-century England, marked by conflict between the landed aristocracy, who supported absolute monarchy, and the urban bourgeoisie, who favored a republic. The early 17th century was characterized by religious and political intolerance, centralized power, economic interventionism, and violence. The latter half of the century saw the final defeat of the monarchy.
Before this, the crown had been restored to the Stuart dynasty following the dissolution of Parliament and Cromwell’s dictatorship. The Glorious Revolution of 1688, a coup against the Stuarts resulting from an agreement between the Whigs and Tories and the accession of William of Orange, led to the triumph of parliamentary power. This included the separation of government powers, guarantees of private property and individual freedom, and the requirement of parliamentary approval for taxation. The English Revolution of 1688 and the triumph of political, religious, and economic freedoms made England a world power.
Key Topics and Ideas
- Separation of Church and State: Defining the functions of each and highlighting the dangers of religious intolerance.
- Causes of Conflict: Intolerance towards religious beliefs different from one’s own has historically caused conflicts and wars within Christianity.
- Church’s Actions: The Church has acted against the fundamental teachings of the Gospel, seeking power and wealth, manipulating people, and seizing assets from those with differing beliefs.
- Necessity of Separation: Religious and civil power must be clearly separated. Their powers and duties are entirely different.
Relationships and Explanation
Locke was an early advocate of tolerance. He viewed an authoritarian and despotic church that subordinates religious conscience and rulers with absolute political power as a denial of the Christian ideal of a free community. He argued against political power over matters not related to public order or the protection of civilian property, asserting that faith and religion belong to the sphere of individual beliefs.
Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the separation of state and church, as well as the separation between public and private spheres, and between politics and religion. Confusion between these areas leads to intolerance.
A Letter Concerning Toleration is representative of English thought on religious tolerance. It summarizes arguments for religious freedom since the Reformation, a time when religious tolerance was achieved as a political commitment but not fully accepted as a principle. The letter reflects over thirty years of Locke’s contemplation on the subject. It was written to support resistance against the government’s imposition of Anglicanism as the sole permitted religion. Locke addressed the consciences of those who persecuted or killed others for religious reasons.
Locke’s Political Theory
In political theory, Locke believed the state is based on a consensual agreement between free individuals. He explained the origins of society by describing the transition from a natural society to a civil society. The state of nature is characterized by freedom and equality. Natural moral law proclaims natural rights and corresponding duties, including the right to self-preservation, liberty, and private property.
Civil society has a written law, a judicial system, and protects private property. Its organization is divided into the legislature (assembly), the executive (law enforcement), and federal power (state security). The state must guarantee religious freedom and worship. No church can monopolize the truth, and political and religious freedom presupposes the secularization of the state.