A civil sword (as woeful experience in all ages has proved) is so far from bringing or helping forward an opposite in religion to repentance that magistrates sin grievously against the work of God and blood of souls by such proceedings... Religion cannot be true which needs such instruments of violence to uphold it so.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Using swords or force to change religion fails and sins against God. True religion does not need violence to survive.
- In plain terms
- Violence cannot create true religion.
- What can you take from it?
- Religion should not rely on state force.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can force produce real faith?
- Who suffers when faith is policed?
Another view
Some argue force is necessary to suppress heresy.
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