The Tolerance of Religion

Abstract

The aim of this project is to research and conceptualize the current as well as historical nuance of the tolerance of religion. The question this research will answer is whether society should embrace a more tolerant view of religion and instill the views of free speech and religion into the younger generation. This research comes at a time of significant differences among the population surrounding the topic of freedom of religion. Although many Americans continue to embrace the freedom of conscience behind the First Amendment, there is increasing polarization around how far religious freedom should go, which freedoms “count” as religious, and how the religious and irreligious should coexist with one another. This project's approach will use political theory, constitutional law, and historical writings to examine this question. The political theory aspect will characterize views of tolerance within scholarly works and how it applies to religious expression. The findings will be used to evaluate the standing of tolerance in today’s discourse and attempt to find changes. The findings of the research conclude that tolerance is still a heavily raised issue and has been since political discourse entered into the sphere of human interaction.