Should the state tolerate different religions?

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that using force or punishment for the purpose of religious conformity is not genuinely aimed at the salvation of souls, but rather at compliance without conviction. He argues that such actions are not for the salvation of men's souls, but for enforcing conformity. "If persecution, as is pretended, were for the salvation of men's souls, men that conform would be examined whether they did so upon reason and conviction." [1]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should not assume its national religion is the only true religion, and that such an assumption is equally unavoidable and just in other countries. He argues that if other national churches agree with the Church of England in necessary matters of salvation, then punishing dissenters for differing in ceremonies is unjust, as it assumes the state's religion is the only true one. "It was not therefore without ground that I said, 'I suspected you built all on this lurking supposition, that the national religion now in England, backed by the public authority of the law, is the only true religion, and therefore no other is to be tolerated; which being a supposition equally unavoidable, and equally just in other countries; unless we can imagine, that, every-where but in England, men believe what at the same time they think to be a lye,' &c." [2]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should tolerate different religions, arguing that the majority of people being led away from the true religion is not due to toleration, but to the corruption and pravity of human nature. He challenges the claim that toleration causes apostasy by pointing out the lack of historical instances of toleration during the time of the great apostasy. "But whether this be owing to toleration in matters of religion, is the question... I would be glad to know where it was that" [3]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should tolerate different religions. He argued that all religious societies, including the national church and other congregations, should be tolerated by the magistrate because their purpose is the salvation of souls, which is a matter of individual conscience. "These religious societies I call churches: and these I say the magistrate ought to tolerate." [4]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that punishing individuals in matters of religion is beyond the magistrate's power, because in matters of faith and religious worship, another cannot judge for a person. He argues that the author of the letter contends that punishing in matters of religion is beyond the magistrate's power. "So that to punish any one in matters of religion, though it be but to make him consider, is by your own confession beyond the magistrate's power." [5]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should tolerate different religions, as long as they do not cause injury or prejudice to others. He argues that the magistrate's role is to protect the commonwealth and prevent harm, not to regulate religious practices that do not affect others. [6]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should tolerate different religions, provided that the Church of England remained the only publicly maintained religion. He argued that allowing groups of seven or more people to form their own religious communities would maintain civil peace and promote the spread of Christianity through persuasion and gentleness. (key quote above) [7]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should tolerate different religions because magistrates, like others, do not have knowledge of the truth of any religion, only belief, and thus using force to promote one's own religion could lead to promoting false religions. This is grounded in his argument that force should not be used to promote religion due to the lack of certainty about which religion is true. (key quote above) [8]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should tolerate sincere religious beliefs, but not those motivated by secular hopes and fears. He argued that only serious, conscientious, and sincere religious convictions deserve value, while others commodify religion for worldly gain. "Such I value, who conscientiously, and out of a sincere persuasion, embrace any religion, though different from mine, and in a way, I think, mistaken." [9]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that if the state were to punish all individuals equally for neglecting to examine religious matters, it would lead to perfect toleration. He argues that force should be impartially applied to all, regardless of their religious persuasion, to promote true examination and toleration. "If therefore you think it so necessary, as you say, for the promoting of true religion, and the salvation of souls, that men should be punished to make them examine, do but find a way to apply force to all that have not thoroughly and impartially examined, and you have my consent." [10]

What cuts against it

• ACTION (undated): The *Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina* (written by Locke) allowed only the Church of England to receive public maintenance, while permitting other religious groups to form their own congregations. "XCVI. [As the country comes to be sufficiently planted and distributed into fit divisions, it shall belong to the parliament to take care for the building of churches, and the public maintenance of divines, to be employed in the exercise of religion, according to the church of England; which being the only true and orthodox, and the national religion of all the king's dominions, is so also of Carolina; and therefore it alone shall be allowed to receive public maintenance, by grant of parliament.]" [7]

• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that the state should not punish individuals for not examining their religion, as this would include members of the proposer's own church and undermine the question of toleration. [11]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. John Locke argued that the magistrate should tolerate all religious societies because their purpose is the salvation of souls, which is a matter of individual conscience. "These religious societies I call churches: and these I say the magistrate ought to tolerate." [4]

2. He believed that using force to promote one's own religion is not justified because magistrates lack certainty about which religion is true. (key quote above) [8]

3. Locke argued that punishing individuals in matters of religion is beyond the magistrate's power, as faith and worship are matters of personal judgment. "So that to punish any one in matters of religion, though it be but to make him consider, is by your own confession beyond the magistrate's power." [5]

4. He also believed that toleration should be extended to all religions that do not cause harm to others. "The part of the magistrate is only to take care that the commonwealth receive no prejudice, and that there be no injury done to any man either in life or estate." [6]

5. However, Locke also supported the idea of state-maintained religious institutions, such as the Church of England, as long as other religious groups were allowed to form their own communities. "XCVI. [As the country comes to be sufficiently planted and distributed into fit divisions, it shall belong to the parliament to take care for the building of churches, and the public maintenance of divines, to be employed in the exercise of religion, according to the church of England; which being the only true and orthodox, and the national religion of all the king's dominions, is so also of Carolina; and therefore it alone shall be allowed to receive public maintenance, by grant of parliament.]" [7] (inference)

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: PARTIAL

The record is silent on whether Locke believed the state should tolerate all religions equally, including non-Christian or non-theistic beliefs. The passages show he supported toleration for most religious groups, but also permitted state support for the Church of England.

Extrapolation: John Locke likely supported the state tolerating different religions, provided they did not cause harm to others and adhered to certain core beliefs. However, he also believed the state could maintain a national religion, as long as other groups were allowed to worship freely.

Competing readings: One reading is that Locke supported religious toleration as a matter of conscience and civil peace. Another is that he allowed for state support of a national religion, which suggests a more limited form of toleration. The record itself states both positions, but does not resolve the tension.

Confidence: Moderate. The record supports the idea of toleration, but also shows Locke's support for a state-maintained religion, which complicates the interpretation. The sources are old editions and lack modern clarity, and the competing readings reflect different aspects of the same body of work.