2. John Locke and Religious Liberty

Alzate analyzes John Locke’s theory of religious liberty found in A Letter Concerning Toleration to elucidate the individual’s right of religious belief and worship, as well as the origins, extent, and limitations of that right. Although freedom of religion is an individual right, it is necessarily a political issue. By examining this concept in conjunction with his broader political theory of the Second Treatise , Alzate discerns nine criteria that Locke argued were essential to balancing religious liberty against other rights and the political authority of government. The two most important of these criteria are government neutrality and equality under the law. Thus, in protecting the individual freedom of religion, the government must above all remain neutral and treat all citizens and religions equally.