A Letter Concerning Toleration

A Letter Concerning Toleration. First published in 1689, this seminal work by the English philosopher John Locke is a foundational text of liberalism and a powerful argument for religious freedom. Written in the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution and Europe's Wars of Religion, it advocates for the separation of church and state and condemns religious persecution. The letter, originally composed in Latin while Locke was in exile in the Dutch Republic, was translated by William Popple and became a cornerstone of Enlightenment thought on toleration.

Historical context and publication

The letter was composed against the backdrop of profound religious and political turmoil in seventeenth-century Europe. Locke wrote it during his exile in the Dutch Republic, a relative haven of tolerance compared to the religious conflicts he witnessed, such as the French Wars of Religion and the English Civil War. Its publication in 1689 followed the Glorious Revolution, which deposed King James II and established the constitutional monarchy of William and Mary. The work was a direct response to the policies of Louis XIV, whose Edict of Fontainebleau revoked the Edict of Nantes and intensified persecution of the Huguenots. The initial Latin edition, Epistola de Tolerantia, was published anonymously in Gouda before Awnsham Churchill released the English translation in London.

Main arguments for religious toleration

Locke's central thesis is that coercion in matters of faith is both irrational and incompatible with Christianity. He argues that salvation is a personal matter between the individual and God, and that no magistrate or ecclesiastical court can compel genuine belief. He contends that the New Testament provides no mandate for persecution, citing the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. Furthermore, Locke asserts that religious diversity does not threaten the commonwealth; rather, persecution for "speculative opinions" on theological doctrines like transubstantiation fosters civil discord. He extends toleration to most dissenting groups, including Presbyterians, Independents, Anabaptists, and even Jews, though with notable exceptions.

Distinction between civil and religious authority

A core innovation of the letter is its rigorous separation of the domains of civil government and religious society. Locke defines the commonwealth as a society constituted only for preserving civil interests such as life, liberty, health, and property. The magistrate's power, derived from the consent of the governed, extends only to these worldly ends. Conversely, a church is a voluntary society for the public worship of God, with its own rules and discipline, but devoid of any coercive power. The magistrate has no authority to prescribe articles of faith or forms of worship, as the state cannot provide for the care of souls. This division aimed to prevent the kinds of theocracy and religious establishment seen in the Papal States or under the Act of Uniformity.

Criticisms and contemporary responses

The letter provoked immediate and fierce criticism. The high-church Anglican clergyman Jonas Proast of The Queen's College launched a series of rebuttals, arguing that moderate penal laws could guide people toward the true Church of England. In response, Locke wrote three further letters, deepening his arguments against Proast. Other critics, like Thomas Long, accused Locke of promoting atheism and skepticism. A significant point of contention was Locke's exclusion of Catholics and atheists from full toleration, fearing their allegiance to foreign powers like the Pope or their inability to be bound by oaths. These exclusions reflected the pervasive political fears of the era, influenced by events like the Popish Plot and the Grand Alliance.

Influence and legacy

A Letter Concerning Toleration exerted a profound and lasting influence on Western political thought. Its principles directly informed the Act of Toleration 1689, though that act was more limited in scope. The work became a key reference for Enlightenment thinkers, including Voltaire and the American Founders. Its arguments for separation of church and state are evident in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and in the writings of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The letter established a philosophical framework that underpins modern human rights discourse on freedom of religion and conscience, influencing subsequent documents from the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Category:1689 books Category:Works by John Locke Category:Political philosophy literature Category:Books about freedom of religion Category:Enlightenment literature