Virtue Ethics Reflection Paper

Thomas Jefferson is one of the most influential individuals to shape what America is today. Thomas Jefferson was a strong advocate of the separation of church and state and in 1779 he drafted a bill for establishing religious freedom. He opposed by many who favored governmental support. Jefferson expressed that God had "created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that free it shall remain by making it altogether insusceptible of restraint" (105). Jefferson is declaring that God gave freedom of thought and man the freedom to choose his religious beliefs.

During the premodern period in Europe, it was largely accepted that the Catholic Church had ultimate authority. At that time, there was no real division between church and state. Instead, all matters were heavily intertwined. However, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Francis Bacon, and Rene Descartes questioned the authority of the church and lead many people to consider that the church might not be the only authoritative figure to rely on. These men presented ideas that characterized a shift in authority that also is known as the shift from the premodern period to modernity.

Thomas Jefferson was a pioneer on the topic of church and state and how those two things have no power over the other in any way, shape, or form. Jefferson explains this when he mentions “Almighty God hath created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that free it shall remain by making it altogether insusceptible of restraint.” Jefferson believes that God created us to be free of everything, including religion. That is why Jefferson didn’t want to give up that freedom even to the government he was so strongly a part of. Jefferson then goes on to talk about how it is extremely wrong when a church forces a man to support or change his personal views just because of an outside source, Jefferson even calls it “tyrannical” some of the methods that the church had to gain control of people.

The balance between individual’s rights (more specifically freedom of religion and belief), local and national government are essential to America today. The colonies were heavily religious in the elementary stages of this country. Faith has influenced the migration to this country, the relationships between the European settlers and the Native Americans, and the establishment of America. Colonial culture laid the groundwork for America. Faith continues to be a huge part of American culture today.

Additionally, being able to spread their ideas also gave then confidence and removed more of the Catholic Church’s power to control information. For the Reformers, the saw the ultimate authority of the church being simply God and his personal relationship with

These popes investigated and decided that indulgences were valid, as long as they were not being sold. The Council of Trent helped agree that Christians needed faith for salvation and the Bible and the Church had equal authorities (Textbook). Pope Paul IV made an official list of books that were from the Protestant faith, which was forbidden in the Catholic faith. Books that were not of the catholic faith were burned in bonfires (Textbook).

More uses 'Utopia ' as a medium for advocating religious freedom to respond to the fractious nature of the Catholic Church. He orchestrates Utopian religious freedom as a concept for Europe to model upon. Believing that religious fanaticism had the potential to fracture Europe 's kingdoms, More outlines Utopia 's adoption of religious freedom with the aim of promoting its success in transforming a profusion of conflicting religious sects into liberal minded supporters of the government. Furthermore, More believed that respective sects required to be tolerant in order for any civic peace to co-exist within Utopia; hence seeing practicality in its application in Europe by the Catholic Church. More 's reputation of being a Christian renaissance humanist is evidence for his attempt in contrasting the Utopian and Christian religion to revive the spirituality and morality that he once thought existed in Christianity.

Bernard Lewis’, The Roots of Muslim Rage, begins with a quotation from Thomas Jefferson’s theory of the separation of church and state, in which Jefferson argues against government involvement in the establishment of a state religion. According to Jefferson, the principle of civil government should be reversed in matters concerning religion so that the slogan of Americanism is, “Divided we stand, united, we fall.” In other words, the formation and continued progression of America’s national identity is based on it’s ability to recognize cultural diversity, while also treating all citizens as equals, regardless of their gender, race, culture, or religion. To ensure that this form of inclusion was extended to religious institutions Jefferson

For many adherents, religion is holy and pure, rising above the concerns of everyday life, while politics is exactly the opposite, grubby in a way that displays the worst aspects of human nature. But although faith and government might not seem like a natural marriage, squaring this relationship is precisely what Jean-Jacques Rousseau and James Madison try to do in On the Social Contract and Memorial and Remonstrance, respectively. Madison and Rousseau wrote barely two decades apart, and they reviewed much of the same historical information in preparing their analyses. Therefore, one might think that their political philosophies, and thoughts on religion, would align closely. However, they actually have key points of disagreement; namely, Rousseau wants the state to play an active role in religion, whereas Madison does not.

In Niccolό Machiavelli’s famous works, The Prince and The Discourses, he discusses the importance of religion in creating and maintaining political authority. In his writings he states that he believes that religion is the strongest determining factor of whether a political leader will be able to maintain power. Machiavelli warns us how corruption in religious institutions can spill over into politics and cause corruption and division among the state and the citizens. Machiavelli’s analysis of religion as a unifying or divisive factor in politics is still as relevant in today’s politics as it was when he wrote is famous works, The Prince and The Discourses. Machiavelli believes that in order for a governing power to maintain political authority

Thomas Jefferson’s legacy shaped the foundation of America today, his ideas on the limiting federal government, the separation of church and state, and the utmost importance of an individual 's personal rights. Limiting help to control potential abuses by the people in power over the citizens who elected them. His influence on limiting the federal government has prevented many crisis’ that have affected other democracies. Furthermore, his beliefs of separation of church and state helped to advance society by keeping the United States of America from becoming a theocracy. Arguably Thomas Jefferson’s biggest accomplishment comes from his incredibly strong and influential effort to further advance the personal rights of each and every citizen.

Also, he passed the Edict of Nantes just so Protestants have freedom to believe whatever they want. Elizabeth I is a politique because she formed peace between the Protestants and Catholics. She repealed the anti- Protestant legislation of Mary Tudor, and guided England to where they can settle their religious differences. Despite what her religion was, Elizabeth I put everything behind her and focused on the good of her country. Both Elizabeth I and Henry of Navarre put politics and the success of the country before their religion.

This quote means that it is okay for a president to use religion in his politics and bring a faithful aspect to the table. Separation of church and state is keeping Americans from facing their fears of having a national religion. Americans are religious, even though there are many religions that are practiced throughout the country, we need a president who believes in a God to lead us. Many ask if the government needs religion and honestly yes we do. God has created this beautiful country for us to live on, and the government needs religion to help us

Therefore, people are allowed to have many beliefs. • In this case, Mr. Reynolds was following the rules of his religion because he was believing that it was a way to please his god. • Mr. Reynold has the right to have his own belief, but once he committed the act of bigamy he broke the law. • In 1786 Jefferson wrote a bill for the Establishment of Religious Freedom, which basically says that there should be a separation of church and state.

Paine’s deistic viewpoints allowed him to write about government actions without being influenced by religious beliefs. He maintained that government should be based on reason, not faith. He strongly claimed that there should be a distinct separation between church and state. He thought that the only role government should have in religion is the protection of religious freedom. Paine commonly used Enlightenment language when he speaks of God and appeals to ordinary people, as opposed to the educated elites.