Friends of religious equality : the politics of the English Nonconformists, 1847-67
The period between 1847 and 1867 was a time when the English Nonconformist communitj' made an earnest efifort to develop its own political philosophy and to attempt to implement its own political agenda. Although the Nonconformist grievances were the subject of heated agitation, many Dissenters came to see disestablishment as their ultimate political goal and religious equality as one of the key principles upon which political decisions should be based. Militant Nonconformists were leading these developments, but their political worldview was increasingly the foundation for Dissenting political thinking as a whole. The principle of religious equality had its flowering in the efforts Nonconformists made to overturn measures which discriminated against people from other religious traditions, notably the undivided support which Nonconformity gave to the campaign for Jewish emancipation. This political philosophy was grounded in theological traditions, particularly Congregational ecclesiology and the Voluntaryism which emerged from it. The application of Voluntary ism to politics also strengthened an instinct among Dissenters for state non-interference. This tendency had its most futile application in the attempt
Larsen, Timothy
Freedom of religion--England--History--19th century ; Dissenters, Religious--England--Political activity--History--19th century
Friends of religious equality : the politics of the English Nonconformists, 1847-67. The period between 1847 and 1867 was a time when the English Nonconformist communitj' made an earnest efifort to develop its own political philosophy and to attempt to implement its own political agenda. Although the Nonconformist grievances were the subject of heated agitation, many Dissenters came to see disestablishment as their ultimate political goal and religious equality as one of the key principles upon which political decisions should be based. Militant Nonconformists were leading these developments, but their political worldview was increasingly the foundation for Dissenting political thinking as a whole. The principle of religious equality had its flowering in the efforts Nonconformists made to overturn measures which discriminated against people from other religious traditions, notably the undivided support which Nonconformity gave to the campaign for Jewish emancipation. This political philosophy was grounded in theological traditions, particularly Congregational ecclesiology and the Voluntaryism which emerged from it. The application of Voluntary ism to politics also strengthened an instinct among Dissenters for state non-interference. This tendency had its most futile application in the attempt
friends religious equality politics english nonconformists period_time english nonconformist make develop political_philosophy attempt_implement political_agenda although nonconformist grievance subject heat agitation many dissenters come_see disestablishment ultimate political goal religious equality one_key principle upon political_decision base militant nonconformists lead development political worldview increasingly foundation dissenting political thinking whole principle religious equality flower effort nonconformists make overturn measure discriminate people religious_tradition notably support nonconformity give campaign jewish emancipation political_philosophy ground theological tradition particularly ecclesiology emerge application voluntary ism politics also strengthen instinct among dissenters state non interference tendency futile application attempt