John Locke is the author of the extract under analysis. John Locke was one of the most prominent representatives of Enlightenment. He was an English philosopher. Locke is often regarded as the founder of classical liberalism. John Locke wrote “A Letter Concerning Toleration” in 1689 in Latin. He wrote this letter to anonymous “Honored Sir”. The letter is divided only into paragraphs. The part that should be analyzed was taken from the middle of the paper.
“A Letter Concerning Toleration” was written due to the urgent issues that were spread in England in the period of Enlightenment. The primary concern referred to the idea that Catholicism would take over England. There was nothing worse than the potential dominance of Catholicism for the British government. One of the most significant features of the seventeenth-century England concerned the strong anti-Catholicism movements.
It should be noted, that this issue was important not only for the church but to the government as well (Coward 2003). The peak of the reformation of religious life in the country took place in 1685 when James II came to the throne. A new King was a devoted Roman Catholic. He had a strong intention to reestablish Catholicism in England. This idea had numerous opponents. Thus, his enemies secretly organized the invasion of Protestant Mary to London.
Consequently, James II slipped away from the country (Hager 2009). That was the absolute victory over Catholicism. John Locke was a philosopher who realized the threat of being too prejudiced towards other religions. This historical context predetermined the manifestation of “A Letter Concerning Toleration”. John Locke comprehended the necessity to assuage the national anger towards Catholicism and other religious and cultural diversities.
In his paper, Locke dwells on the idea of the need to separate church from the government. He claims that the state handles external dimensions of the society while church should be concerned with personal beliefs and the idea of salvation. Before the passage, the author argues about the lawfulness of various religious traditions.
He states that sacrificing of infants is against the law. Still, the idea of idolatrous religion seems almost the same for the British magistrate. Locke displays his opinion that Church should not dispraise other beliefs but show tolerance. The passage that is under analysis is an example provided to prove his idea. He proceeds to his analysis of the interrelation between law and church after the passage.
The significance of the passage provided to the work as a whole can be explained by the fact that it provides a vivid example of author’s ideas. First, the passage is a summarization of the general notion — nobody should be punished because of his or her faith. Second, people should be allowed to worship Gods they like most of all if that will bring them happiness.
Besides, the author creates an example where Christians are not prevailing and desperate to find some place to survive. He puts representatives of the dominant religion in extremely difficult circumstances to exemplify that fact that those pagans can treat them in the same way as all England treat other religious.
John Locke’s work is of great significance for proving the necessity of the separation of the church and the state. His concept of tolerance aims at making the life of the whole society better. Nevertheless, there are several aspects of his work and the passage provided that should be evaluated adequately.
First, it is important to take into consideration Locke’s definitions of some notions. Thus, religion is something that controls the lives of men according to the rules of virtue and piety. Locke believed in the natural morality. He did not think of the role of the church in revealing the primary understanding of morality for all people. The philosopher states that religion is a private affair of everyone. Despite this, he believes that it is obligatory for every person to search salvation.
According to Locke, a church is a union of men who are united by the common beliefs and intention to worship one God (Locke 1796). He does not mention the significance of the particular confession, liturgy, hierarchy, or dogma for establishing one religion. It is not correct to assume that people become Orthodox because of their mutual desire to do so. The church is a vital link in connecting people. In the passage under analysis, Locke provides an example.
The meaning of that part has been already discussed. In my opinion, this sample can be easily rebutted. The situation described can have many other possible endings. It is no necessary that Christians will root their religion in other culture. Even more, the representatives of pagans, who do not approve any other options of faith can suppress their religion.
One more possibility is that Christian’s faith could be altered under the influence of pagans’ beliefs. Although Locke’s ideas can be criticized for some flaws, they are unique by their nature. In his work, John Locke dwells on such concepts that will be known later as the religious pluralism.
Bibliography
Coward, Barry. The Stuart Age: England, 1603-1714. New York: Pearson Education, 2003.
Hager, Alan. Encyclopedia of British Writers, 16th, 17th, 18th Centuries. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2009.
Locke, John. A Letter Concerning Tolerance. New York: J. Brook, 1796.