Many now associate the term “liberalism” with its modern version – a Marxist form of Liberalism – that advocates for free sex, the legalization of drugs in a hedonistic social climate that legitimizes selfishness in disregard of the obligation towards others.
One feels – in line with Marxist thought – that it is the responsibility of the state to provide care for those in need, there is no individual obligation to solidarity.
Historic Liberalism versus the Marxist version: But the conservative liberalism defined by John Locke in the 1600s was not the individual’s right to live selfishly. He did not advocate a hedonistic lifestyle in which man is to free himself from concepts of conscience, sin and the law of nature, writes historian of comparative religions and bestselling author, Hanne Nabintu Herland.
Locke’s understanding of liberalism stands in great contrast to the modern, hedonistic ideals in the West. Today, the meaning of the word “liberal” has almost turned into the very opposite of what Locke defined it to be, highly influenced by the Marxist social revolution and its rebellion against traditional morality and responsibility.
Historic Liberalism versus the Marxist version: In the 1600s, secularism adopted the conviction that political conditions should be discussed outside of the religious sphere, from a so-called “neutral” perspective.
It was in this period that the Christian English philosopher John Locke defined liberalism and further developed theories of human rights. The original concept of liberalism guarantees freedom of choice and is one of the main freedoms upon which democratic systems rest.
Locke formulated the reasons for why religious tolerance is important, stating that enforcing uniformity would lead to more social disorder than allowing religious diversity.
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Historic Liberalism versus the Marxist version: The right to liberty did not imply the right to exploit others in pursuit of self-satisfaction. Freedom was defined as the individual’s right to behave responsibly in the community, yet still, pursue personal liberties. For Locke, liberalism was not devoid of morality.
Obligations and a strong sense of responsibility were closely knit to his definition of rights.
Jeremy Waldron shows in God, Locke, and Equality. Christian Foundations in Locke’s Political Thought how Locke’s belief in God permeates his very thinking.
Locke saw man as sent into the world by God’s order, to go about and do His business as His property and workmanship. He derived his fundamental political theory from biblical texts, insisting that people could not understand the law of nature without the assistance of the teachings of Jesus.
Locke further states that the concept of freedom as well as equality is originally derived from Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Consequently, to him, all men were created as free, rational beings and therefore democratic governments needed to acquire approval for the political decisions of its people. His thoughts are clearly reflected in the American Declaration of Independence.
Hanne Nabintu Herland is a historian of religions and bestselling author. She is the founder of The Herland Report and its corresponding YouTube Channel and Podcast. This is a great place to watch interviews with leading intellectuals from across the political spectrum. Herland’s latest book, number 1 bestseller on Amazon, The Billionaire World. How Marxism Serves the Elite (2023) is a razor sharp analysis of how the elites use Marxist repression of the people to achieve their goals. Buy it here. Other books include Alarm, Respect, Det Nye Babylon (2018), Tyranni (2020) and in English – Crime and Refuge (2013), The Culture War. How the West lost its Greatness (2017), Trump. The Battle for America (2020), New Left Tyranny. The Authoritarian Destruction of Our Way of Life (2020), The Billionaire World (2023
