"A Letter Concerning Toleration," by John Locke

John Locke (1632-1704)

British philosopher John Locke's "A Letter Concerning Toleration," was written while Locke was living in political exile in Holland during the winter of 1685.  Locke's parents were Puritan, and his father fought with the parliamentary forces in the English Civil War.  John was exiled during the Restoration because of his association with Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper (later First Earl of Shaftesbury), a leading member of the parliamentary faction known as the Whigs.

A question to think about as you read the piece:
How would Locke's views have affected:

(a) Adherents of the Established Church of England.
(b) Adherents of dissenting Protestant sects.
(c) Roman Catholics.
(d) Non-Christians.
(e) Atheists