[lit-ideas] Re: The de-islamization of Europe
- From: Phil Enns <phil.enns@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 16:12:54 -0400
Andreas Ramos wrote:
"Nobody could possibly say that Christianity encouraged modern society or
liberal democracy."
I would trace the ideal of liberal democracy back to Luther's credo 'Sola
fide', and so happily claim that Christianity lay the foundations for
liberal democracy. (This is not to make the claim that Christianity is the
foundation for liberal democracy.) By insisting on the individual's ability
to be the final arbiter of faith, Luther laid the foundation for the liberal
democratic notion that each citizen is the final arbiter of their pursuit of
the good. The final authority for an individual's goals and ideals lies not
with a prince or religious figure, but the individual.
When Luther failed to show the same courage towards the princes as he had
toward the Pope, by allowing the princes to determine the faith within their
realms, the Radical Reformation was formed. This continuation of the
reformation ideal then insisted that there ought to be a separation between
the sacred and secular realm, leading to the separation of church and state.
The beliefs that each individual is responsible for their own ends and that
matters of faith must be separated from matters of politics form two of the
cornerstones of liberal democracy.
Sincerely,
Phil Enns
Glen Haven, NS
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