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.
I'd say religious freedom preceded liberal society. Putting all ideologies - except the ones opposed to liberalism - on an equal footing is the result of liberal society.
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.
No, but liberal ideology creates a pressure point for religious freedom.
I'd say religious freedom preceded liberal society. Putting all ideologies - except the ones opposed to liberalism - on an equal footing is the result of liberal society.
You can have non-liberal reasons for religious freedom, such as a pragmatic desire to keep the peace.