Arguments for Toleration Flashcards
What is the religious argument?
Toleration is a Christian virtue.
Must take back Christianity charity from the persecutors - push for peace not violence.
What is 1 argument for the consistency/hypocrisy argument?
It cannot be Christian to sin (maim or kill) in order to save somebody’s soul
or
When weak, churches are tolerant and advocate peace and co-existence. But when they are supported/ powerful they are intolerant and purist.
What is another argument for the consistency/ hypocrisy argument?
It cannot be Christian to sin (maim or kill) in order to save somebody’s soul
or
When weak, churches are tolerant and advocate peace and co-existence. But when they are supported/ powerful they are intolerant and purist.
What is the epistemological argument for toleration?
There is great disagreement between individuals, sects, churches etc..
You cannot know what true religion demands therefore there should be epistemic modesty not violence.
What is the authority argument for toleration?
The care of one’s soul should not be entrusted to anyone, not society, church or government. The soul is a sacred space, exclusively at the individual’s discretion.
What is the prudential argument?
There should be peace &stability. Persecution makes people more fanatic and violent. Should not spill blood over matters of indifference to the scriptures.
What is the psychological argument for toleration?
Belief cannot be compelled by the sword, but by persuasion, arguments or revelation.
What is the political argument for toleration?
There should be a separation of church and state. The government should only concern itself with its social contract.
Consent is the basis of legitimate government and therefore consent can be revoked.
What are the 7 political arguments for toleration?
Laws shouldn’t relegate religion. Anything is allowed as long as it doesn’t violate the rights of others.
Slippery slope - allowing one church to be regulated puts all at risk.
Rebellion - Resist if state is unjust, goes against your conscience, or meddles in religious issues and oversteps their competence, only God can judge who is right.
Absolutely free entry and exit right according to conscience.
Hierarchy of Church has no basis in the scriptures.
No civil rights can be suspended on the basis of religious differences. Only church can exclude those unpersuaded from their community.
Dis-establishment of the national church = a plurality of churches in relationships of mutual, vigilant toleration.
Who did Locke tolerate?
Pagans in the ‘Americas’, all Christian sects, Jews, Muslims, Presbyterians, Independents, Anabaptists, Armenians and Quakers.
Who didn’t Locke tolerate and why?
He did not tolerate those threatened the common good:
Anarchists - religious beliefs & practices destabilise civil society.
The intolerant - those who claim authority and power over others’ souls.
Atheists - no motivation (fear of God) to abide moral codes.
