Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31192/np.14.1.2
Liberalism and Religion
Stephen Nikola Bartulica
orcid.org/0000-0003-0052-6822
Abstract
The author explores the relationship between the political philosophy of liberalism and religion in the secular state. Machiavelli elaborated his theory of the secular State before the Protestant Reformation, claiming that it must be independent of all external influence, including that of the Church. Hobbes argues for the State to be the sole lawmaker and must have the final word in matters of religion as well. Later liberalism tried to adapt and find a way to secure religious liberty and succeeded for a time, for example in the United States. However, recent developments have revealed a disturbing trend involving the creation of new secular "dogmas" which are incompatible with Christian teaching.
Keywords
Liberalism; religion; Machiavelli; Hobbes; Locke; freedom; totalitarianism
Hrčak ID:
154331
URI
Publication date:
15.3.2016.
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