Religious freedom is not inconsistent with one religion receiving special privileges. There are countries with religious freedom that have a state church.
Which ones do you have in mind? I could see a state church in name only not compromising religious freedom, but I'm skeptical of implementing it in a meaningful way without compromise religious freedom.
England, Denmark and the other Scandinavian countries.
Of course, those state churches are nothing to write home about. But I do think that 'religious freedom' has been spun as granting equal status to all religions, which it traditionally has not been.
If we go back to historical times, Cromwellian England had a state church without infringing on the religious liberties of other protestants or Jews.
those state churches are nothing to write home about
That's kind of an understatement.
But I do think that 'religious freedom' has been spun as granting equal status to all religions, which it traditionally has not been.
I wouldn't say it's been spun. It just took time for the contradiction of having a state religion within a liberal society to be resolved. Liberal ideology provided the justification for attacking the idea, legally or culturally.
I wouldn't say it's been spun. It just took time for the contradiction of having a state religion within a liberal society to be resolved.
Agreed, but does 'freedom of religion' necessitate a 'liberal society'? Its germs can be found even in Augustine. Toleration was also fairly common in the post-Reformation era. This is freedom of conscience, and in some cases even freedom of religion, but without the religion having the same legal standing.
Religious freedom is not inconsistent with one religion receiving special privileges. There are countries with religious freedom that have a state church.
Which ones do you have in mind? I could see a state church in name only not compromising religious freedom, but I'm skeptical of implementing it in a meaningful way without compromise religious freedom.
England, Denmark and the other Scandinavian countries.
Of course, those state churches are nothing to write home about. But I do think that 'religious freedom' has been spun as granting equal status to all religions, which it traditionally has not been.
If we go back to historical times, Cromwellian England had a state church without infringing on the religious liberties of other protestants or Jews.
That's kind of an understatement.
I wouldn't say it's been spun. It just took time for the contradiction of having a state religion within a liberal society to be resolved. Liberal ideology provided the justification for attacking the idea, legally or culturally.
Agreed, but does 'freedom of religion' necessitate a 'liberal society'? Its germs can be found even in Augustine. Toleration was also fairly common in the post-Reformation era. This is freedom of conscience, and in some cases even freedom of religion, but without the religion having the same legal standing.