BJU American Government, 4th ed., Chapter 3

John Locke

a British philosopher who advocated the theories of natural law and social contract

natural law

principle advocated by John Locke that states that all people have a conscience and recognize the laws built into nature

Mayflower Compact

a foundational document of American government; the agreement of temporary government established by the Pilgrims before they settled in the New World

social contract

theory of government stating that government is formed by the consent of the governed

pluralism

a characteristic of society in which multiple religious groups with different views of right and wrong all live together

political ideology

beliefs that guide an individual or group based on an underlying worldview

culture wars

heated arguments about public moral issues that come from worldview differences

Why did it become difficult for Christians to serve in the Roman government and military?

Roman military and government service often involved offering sacrifices to pagan gods and worshipping the emperor. (p. 41)

Why did many medieval and early modern Christians believe that states need a common religion?

They believed that stable states need a shared morality and that shared morality is impossible to achieve without a shared religion. (p. 41)

Why did the Reformation result in religious wars in Europe?

The Reformation shattered the illusion of religious unity in Europe, but many people still valued a shared religion. In each nation the religion of the ruler became the religion of the nation. Religion thus became a highly contentious political matter. (pp. 41-42)

What was John Locke's solution to Europe's religious conflict? What was his basis for shared morality?

religious toleration; natural law (p. 42)

What is the basic thesis of secularism?

Religion is a private matter that should stay out of public spaces. (p. 44)

Why do secularists seek the absolute separation of church and state?

They seek to remove all religious influence from public life.