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There were three branches of Enlightenment philosophy: the Continental version, the Scottish, and the English. Each was characterized by differing views of the role of religion in society. For the Continental version, the influence of philosophes such as Voltaire, adopted an aversion to religion in general. Such a view did not credit much influence to religion in the ordering of society. In that cultural milieu, “religion” was equated with Roman Catholicism. Due to many of the odious actions of the Papacy, a spirit of anti-clericalism developed, which finally manifested itself with the be-heading of numerous Catholic priests during the French Revolution and the removal of clerical privileges in following years. Continental Enlightenment philosophy is blatantly manifested in modern times by laicite, a term referring to a purely secular state in which religion is suppressed in the public sphere.
The Scottish Enlightenment emphasized more of the philosophical elements and appealed to man’s innate ability to empathize with other humans. Much like the Golden Rule that Christ enunciated of “doing unto others what you would have others do unto you,” this version stressed tolerance toward others because of one’s own desire for toleration.
The English Enlightenment retained a modest respect for religion, recognizing it as a source of morals for society, as well as fulfilling the role of instilling within man a sense of final accountability. The most notable expounder of this version was John Locke. In his view, while religion should be kept apart from the state, it nevertheless should be allowed to flourish in society. He believed so strongly in the beneficial role of religion in society that he did not favor atheists, since he believed that individuals could not be kept honest without a sense of a final accountability before God at the end of one’s life. While Locke highly favored religion’s role in society, he likewise did not believe that man could arrive at an ultimate understanding of the claims of Diety. Thus, as a Latitudinarian, Locke did not believe that government could endorse a particular form of religion, and therefore, he believed that the conscience of each person should be guaranteed liberty of thought. Locke tended to view the role of religion in society as a deistic manifestation, or, that one should interpret the term “God” in a generic sense. This meant that no particular religion should govern society, ruling out any type of religious establishment. Instead, Locke’s deistic form meant that a general view of deity should flourish in society, allowing each person to arrive at his or her own religious convictions, even if different from those of the rest of society.
Deism, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison
Thomas Jefferson was influenced by certain elements of the Continental Enlightenment while staying in France prior to the drafting of the Bill of Rights. For this reason, one may note that the Constitution of the United States of America, Jefferson’s handiwork, is a secular document that only makes reference to religion in Article 6, where it clearly states that religion shall not even be considered a factor for those seeking an office in national government. However, his secular views of government were tempered by James Madison’s views of the benefits of religion, which patterned more after those of Locke.
Madison formulated the religion clauses of what later became the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. The views of Baptists regarding “soul liberty” and freedom of conscience, as well as the views of Locke regarding toleration in religious matters, produced the guarantee against any religious establishment. The “free exercise” clause, however, reflected more of Jefferson’s influence upon Madison, wherein the former relied upon the French philosophes’ views of liberty of conscience for the individual.
During the multitudinous debates occurring in American society today regarding the role of church and state, or the role of religion in society, it would be well for all sides to consider the rich, intellectual sources, and profound philosophical influences bearing upon the principal architects of the founding documents of our country. Those documents reflect an interwoven combination of ideas and concepts designed to guarantee that no particular ideology can dominate the public square, thus ensuring freedom of conscience for all and the need for vigorous debate. It is no small wonder, then, that the Statue of Liberty, donated by France symbolizes the freedoms we still enjoy in America – “freedom of speech, of the press, of the right to peaceably assemble” and the “freedom of religion”!!!
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