John Locke’s “Letter Concerning Toleration”1689约翰洛克“关于宽容的信”1689.pptVIP

John Locke’s “Letter Concerning Toleration” (1689) Lockes primary goal is to distinguish exactly the business of civil government from that of religion government is instituted to promote external interests, relating to life, liberty, and the general welfare, while the “church” exists to promote internal interests, i.e., salvation the two serve separate functions, and so, must be considered to be separate institutions In defense of religious diversity After a devastating period of religious wars, Locke proposes “religious toleration” as the answer In 1689, it was Catholicism that was seen a