Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

onager

(9,356 posts)
3. But John Locke was soft on atheism and a heathen fellow-traveler!
Mon Aug 31, 2015, 07:25 AM
Aug 2015

In 1669 Locke wrote the "Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina," a document meant to govern the land between Virginia and Florida. It was the first printed work associated with his name, according to Wikipedia.

I doubt that the Texas Jesus-Jumpers would approve this language, even today. He's offering sanctuary to Jews and non-believers, and allowing any 7 people who agree on a religion to start their own church. Amazing, for the 17th century:

Article 97:

But since the natives of that place, who will be concerned in our plantation, are utterly strangers to Christianity, whose idolatry, ignorance, or mistake gives us no right to expel or use them ill; and those who remove from other parts to plant there will unavoidably be of different opinions concerning matters of religion, the liberty whereof they will expect to have allowed them, and it will not be reasonable for us, on this account, to keep them out, that civil peace may be maintained amidst diversity of opinions, and our agreement and compact with all men may be duly and faithfully observed; the violation whereof, upon what presence soever, cannot be without great offence to Almighty God, and great scandal to the true religion which we profess; and also that Jews, heathens, and other dissenters from the purity of Christian religion may not be scared and kept at a distance from it, but, by having an opportunity of acquainting themselves with the truth and reasonableness of its doctrines, and the peaceableness and inoffensiveness of its professors, may, by good usage and persuasion, and all those convincing methods of gentleness and meekness, suitable to the rules and design of the gospel, be won ever to embrace and unfeignedly receive the truth; therefore, any seven or more persons agreeing in any religion, shall constitute a church or profession, to which they shall give some name, to distinguish it from others.

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/nc05.asp

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Ugh. progressoid Aug 2015 #1
Can you believe they're getting away with this? beam me up scottie Aug 2015 #2
One of my nieces just moved to Texas for a job. progressoid Aug 2015 #5
I pity the intelligent Texans. beam me up scottie Aug 2015 #6
you're fucked. AlbertCat Aug 2015 #10
You're right, yet some kids are very gullible. beam me up scottie Aug 2015 #11
And you shouldn't have to warn your kids that teachers and textbooks are lying to them. AlbertCat Aug 2015 #13
Well, as long as my kids learn the truth, it's all good. LiberalAndProud Sep 2015 #14
But John Locke was soft on atheism and a heathen fellow-traveler! onager Aug 2015 #3
Excellent find as usual, onager! beam me up scottie Aug 2015 #4
Reminds me of this... nil desperandum Aug 2015 #7
Brilliant. beam me up scottie Aug 2015 #8
Mexican-American War, my favorite comment onager Aug 2015 #9
Native Americans view history differently too. beam me up scottie Aug 2015 #12
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Atheists & Agnostics»New Texas textbooks a bit...»Reply #3