Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Toleration History'

The eighteenth century in England has long been associated with increasing consumption, trade, luxury, and intellectual exchange. In contrast with the religiously-fueled tumult of the previous century, it is frequently portrayed as a polite, enlightened and even secularising age. This thesis questions this picture. Taking the ambiguous legacies of the so-called "Toleration Act" of 1689 as its starting point, it explores the impact of the complex and uncertain outcomes of the 1689 Act on social relations between Protestant Dissenters and members of the Established Church in England in the first half of the eighteenth century. In connecting broader legislative change with developing social discourses and the practicalities of everyday life, it demonstrates the extent to which the Toleration Act made religious questions integral to the social and cultural development of the period. As a result, it stresses not only that developing modes and norms of sociability were essential to determining the nature of religious coexistence, but also that the changing religious landscape was absolutely integral to the evolution of multiple different social registers in eighteenth-century England. It therefore demonstrates how previously disparate approaches to eighteenth-century England are mutually illuminating, creating an account of the period that is better able to attend to both religious and cultural change. With this in mind this thesis pays particular attention to the language through which contemporaries described their sociability, suggesting that they have great potential to illuminate the nature of religious coexistence in this period. Starting from the premise that the words an individual chooses are in some way both reflective and constitutive of their ways of thinking, several of the chapters that follow draw on and analyse the language contemporaries employed at the intersections between religion and sociability. The thesis as a whole suggests that doing so can give us insight into how their religious lives were socially organised, how groups were formed, bounded, and transgressed, and how that in itself fed back into the structures of sociability.

This thesis examines the practice of tolerance and intolerance that surrounded the development of Quakerism in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the mid seventeenth century. It is important to offer a distinction between the terms tolerance and toleration, which are used in the title of the work. Tolerance refers to the informal and unofficial actions of the local community in their daily relationships with their Quaker neighbours. In practical terms, these could be as insignificant as simply talking to them, trading with them, or not physically attacking them because of their religious beliefs. Toleration refers to the formal, and official, ideas and practice of religious toleration that was sanctioned by the local authorities and central government. Of course, the two are not as easily separable as these definitions suggest. Tolerance and toleration co-existed alongside each other, each impacting upon the other to various degrees throughout the second half of the seventeenth century. The study is an examination of the tolerance and toleration of the Quaker community in the East Riding. It investigates the extent to which despite, or perhaps because of, increasing uncertainty about official attitudes to religious toleration, Quakerism was able to take root and develop in the region within what was, effectively, a climate of religious tolerance.

The story of the French Prophets has gone down as one of the greatest examples of religious enthusiasm in English religious history. It began in 1706 with the arrival in London of three inspired Camisards from Southern France and ended with the foundation of the Shakers in 1747. These Prophets claimed to be possessed by the Holy Spirit and announced the end of the world and Christ’s Second Coming to the local Huguenot community, but rapidly attracted a majority of English speaking followers. Their ecstatic trances and alleged supernatural powers caused a great controversy over the nature of enthusiasm in the ‘Age of Reason’. This thesis examines the significance of enthusiasm in the context of the Toleration Act of 1689 through the particular case of the French Prophets. It argues that enthusiasm meant much more than religious fanaticism in the eighteenth century and that it should be viewed in opposition to the Enlightenment. It takes an thematic approach to enthusiasm in order to reflect the multiple impacts the Prophets had on eighteenth-century England, with each chapter addressing the issue from a different perspective. Chapter one retraces their origins from Languedoc and covers the persecution and exodus of the Huguenots after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 and their arrival in England. The second chapter looks at the Camisards’ belief system and how they fitted in the English religious landscape. Chapter three analyses the social composition and organisation of the group, while the fourth chapter concentrates on their communication and the battle of pamphlets they created. The prosecution of radical dissenters in the post-Toleration era is then discussed in chapter five. Lastly, chapter six examines the medical debate on insanity and the growing perception of enthusiasm as an illness.

Though ultimately seeking more just law, civil disobedience still entails the breaching of a law. For this reason, most theories hold that people who practice civil disobedience must be willing to accept the legal consequences of their actions. On the other hand, a nation that is truly committed to justice will recognize that its constitution and legal order may in some ways fall short of perfect justice. In this thesis, I defend Rawls’s theory of civil disobedience as unique in its capacity for justification and even government toleration. Appealing to a shared conception of justice, Rawlsian civil disobedients are able to ground their actions in the same principles to which the state is committed. I argue that Rawls’s shared conception of justice is further substantiated when read in the light of his later theory of the overlapping consensus of comprehensive doctrines. I ultimately conclude that civil disobedience construed in the Rawlsian sense ought to receive some degree of toleration by the state, and particularly by constitutional states which maintain a formal commitment to justice in the protection of rights and intentional design of government institutions.

After a two-decade hiatus, the English church courts were revived by an act of Parliament on 27 July 1661, to resume their traditional task of correcting spiritual and moral misdemeanours. Soon thereafter, parishioners across England's dioceses once more faced admonition, fines, excommunication, and even imprisonment if they failed to conform to the laws of the restored Church of England. Whether they were successful or not in maintaining orthodoxy has been the principal question guiding historians interested in these tribunals, and most have concluded that, at least compared to their antebellum predecessors, the restored church courts constituted little more than a paper tiger, whose censures did little to halt the spread of dissent, partial conformity and immoral behaviour. This thesis will, in part, question such conclusions. Its main purpose, however, is to make a methodological intervention in the study of ecclesiastical court records. Rejecting Geoffrey Elton's assertion that these records represent 'the most strikingly repulsive relics of the past', it argues that a closer, more creative study of the bureaucratic processes maintaining the church courts can considerably enhance not only our understanding of these rather enigmatic tribunals but also of the individuals and communities who interacted with them. Studying those in charge of the courts, the first half of this thesis will explore the considerable friction between the Church's ministry and the salaried bureaucrats and lawyers permanently staffing the courts. This, it argues, has important ramifications for our understanding of early modern office-holding, but it also sheds new light on the theological disposition of the Restoration Church. Using the same sources, coupled with substantial consultation of contemporary polemic, letters and diaries, the fourth and fifth chapters will argue that the sanctions of the restored church courts were often far from the 'empty threat' historians have tended to assume. Excommunication in particular could be profoundly distressing even for such radical dissenters as the Quakers, and this should cause us to reconsider how individuals and communities from various hues of the denominational spectrum related to the established Church.

Esta dissertação de mestrado propõe-se a apresentar um estudo sobre a obra ficcional de Seamus Deane Reading in the Dark à luz das recentes idéias sobre a redefinição do conceito de identidade norte-irlandesa. No pano de fundo deste romance autobiográfico, identificamos a presença de episódios históricos envolvendo o choque entre unionistas pró-britânicos e Nacionalistas irlandeses, que levou ao conflito conhecido como "The Troubles". Esses episódios, e suas conseqüências, são apresentados através da perspectiva de um protagonista autodiegético, que relata três décadas, de 1940 a 1960. Enquanto o personagem cresce, sua percepção obviamente vai-se alterando. O efeito final da minha leitura do romance - que foi escrito na década de 1990 - é a abertura de uma nova perspectiva, relacionada com a necessidade de redefinir questões da nacionalidade irlandesa. Reading in the Dark é um romance sobre contradições entre duas culturas que não conseguem - mas necessitam - co-existir, vistas através da perspectiva de um adolescente inteligente e bem intencionado. Este texto literário oferece uma formulação sobre os novos avanços a em relação às questões de identidade e tolerância, as quais podem ser abordadas de três formas: o conflito pode ser analisado internamente, através da oposição entre as comunidades Católicas e Protestantes, ou externamente, considerando os interesses da ilha da Irlanda, em oposição aos oitocentos anos de dominação inglesa. A terceira solução propõe uma redefinição de todos os conceitos implicados. Como conseqüência dessa crise, o romance denuncia e redefine os sistemas políticos usados como instrumentos de dominação e de manutenção e validação do choque entre as duas ideologias existentes que levaram ao sectarismo no território da Irlanda do Norte. A discussão levada a cabo nesta dissertação está baseada nos presentes debates sobre estudos culturais, especialmente como propostos por Terry Eagleton e por outros membros do "Field Day Theatre Company", que analisam as questões relativas à identidade. Esses intelectuais escolheram reavaliar as narrativas dominantes sobre a Irlanda, incluindo a formação dos mitos que motivou o acirramento dessa hostilidade contra a parte oposta. Esta dissertação está estruturada em três capítulos principais. Dois deles contextualizam o plano de fundo da narrativa e da agenda política crítica do "Field Day Theatre Company". O capítulo de análise é centrado em treze cenas fortes selecionadas do romance, as quais são comentadas a partir de considerações tecidas nos limites dos capítulos anteriores. No final do trabalho, eu espero validar a importância do romance autobiográfico de Seamus Deane Reading in the Dark no processo de reexame dos discursos que levaram à falta de comunicação entre duas comunidades que vivem em um mesmo território.
This thesis consists of a study of Seamus Deane's Reading in the Dark in the light of recent ideas regarding the redefinition of the concept of Northern Irish identity. In the background of this auto-biographical novel we identify the presence of historical episodes involving the clash between British Unionists and Irish Nationalists, which led to the conflicts known as "The Troubles." These episodes, and their consequences, are presented through the filter of an autodiegetic protagonist/narrator, through a time-span of three decades, from the 1940s to the 1960s. As the character grows, perception is obviously altered. The final effect of my reading of this novel - which was written in the 1990's - is the opening a new perspective, related to the need of redefining issues of national identity. Reading in the Dark is a novel about the contradictions between two cultures which cannot - but must - co-exist, as seen through the eyes of one growing perceptive, well-meaning intelligent young man. This literary text offers a statement about a new advance towards the issues of identity and toleration, which can be approached in three ways: the conflict can be analyzed internally, through the opposition between the Catholic and the Protestant parts of the community; or externally, considering the interests of the island of Ireland, as opposed to eight-hundred years of English domination. The third solution proposes a redefinition of all concepts implied. As a consequence of this crisis, the novel simultaneously denounces and redefines the political systems used as instruments of domination, and the maintenance and validation of the clash between the two existing ideologies that led to sectarianism within the northern territory. The discussion held in this thesis is based on the present state of the debate regarding Cultural Studies, especially as proposed by Terry Eagleton and by other members of the Field Day Theatre Company, who analyze the questions concerning identity. These intellectuals choose to revaluate the dominant narratives about Ireland, including the formation and the use made of myths that have heightened the sense of hostility against the opposite part. This thesis is structured in three main chapters. Two of them contextualize the background of the narrative and present the critical-political agenda of the Field Day Theatre Company. The chapter of analysis centers on thirteen strong scenes selected from the novel, which are woven within the framing previous chapters. At the end of the work, I hope to validate my belief in the social function of literature, by stressing the importance of Seamus Deane's Reading in the Dark in this process of re-examination of old discourses that led to the failure of communication between the two communities living in the same territory.

Global climate change models predict a reduction in rainfall and rise in air temperature for the Cape Peninsula of South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The CFR is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its high level of floral endemism, but the high level of endemism also applies to the region’s freshwater fish assemblage. Whereas the current threats to endemic freshwater fish include habitat modification, water abstraction, pollution and impacts of non-native species, climate change is predicted to further exacerbate negative impacts on fish communities. The endemic CFR fish species, Cape Galaxias, Galaxias zebratus Castelnau, 1861, is widespread throughout the region, and occurs in both non-perennial and perennial rivers, and wetlands. The species is thought to be a relict group of ancient species originating from the break up of Gondwanaland 180 – 135 million years ago. Endemic CFR freshwater fish, like G. zebratus, may be sensitive to the thermal regime of their environment and may thus be influenced by climate warming. The most commonly used experimental approach for determining the effect of elevated temperature on freshwater biota is the Critical Thermal Method (CTM). The CTM determines the upper thermal tolerance limit or critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of a species. Thermal history is the range of temperatures experienced by an organism in its natural habitat over time and this may be an important factor determining the thermal tolerance of species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of thermal history, reflecting a stream’s thermal profile, on upper thermal tolerance limits of G. zebratus. We hypothesised that G. zebratus from warmer sites would have a higher CTmax than individuals at cooler sites. To examine the influence thermal history has on the thermal tolerance of G. zebratus, hourly water temperature data were collected and the CTmax values were determined for fish (n=30 per site) from 10 different sites in rivers of the Cape Peninsula. The CTmax values from all sites for the November-December experimental period ranged from 30.00°C to 32.45°C. CTmax values for all sites from the JanuaryFebruary experimental period ranged from 31.29°C to 33.42°C. Upper thermal tolerance limits of G. zebratus increased from the November-December experiments to the January-February experiments. Regression analyses show that G. zebratus upper thermal tolerance limits are significantly influenced by its thermal history as characterised by the seven day moving average of daily mean (Mean_7) two weeks preceding the experiments, implying that changes to the thermal regime will influence the thermal tolerance of G. zebratus. The resultant regression equation allows G. zebratus CTmax to be predicted by thermal history based on Mean_7, providing valuable information to set thermal limits of G. zebratus and guide future research. This is the first study on the thermal ecology of G. zebratus in the CFR and in Africa. The data not only enhance understanding of the thermal ecology of the species, but also further our understanding of their potential vulnerability to climate change.

The goal of the presented thesis is to expound and evaluate Rainer Forst's theory of toleration, counting among the most discussed themes in contemporary political theory and practice. A critical reception of the manner in which a leading contemporary political thinker systematically treats this theme will provide us with historical, systematic, and normative orientation in the structure of this complex problematic. The exposition follows Forst's historical analyses explaining the development of the concept and different conceptions of toleration and at the same time supply normative evaluations of individual developmental tendencies. The thesis subsequently focuses on the purely systematic part of Forst's work, i.e. on his own theory of toleration, and situates Forst's contribution in the wider frame of his constructivist theory of justice. The thesis closes with a critical evaluation of Forst's theory. Here, systematic deficiencies of his conception will be uncovered, deficiencies that point towards deeper problems of liberalism and constructivism.

Captives. The works of Johannes Schiltberger, George of Hungary and Konstantin Mihailović as testimonies about late medieval search for identity and cultural integration in the Muslim world Bc. Karolina Srncová The master's thesis enquires into the phenomenon of late medieval reflection on Muslim society in captivity narratives, treatises and memoirs from the pen of former Christian captives. Through a comparison of testimonies by three Europeans, who spent long years in Ottoman or Tatar captivity, the thesis investigates the process of their integration in the Muslim world, their perception of this world, and the notion of it they kept after their return to Christian Europe. Apart from the literary reflection on the other the thesis also pursues authors themselves - how they perceived and constructed their cultural identity in the strange environment, what long-term modus vivendi they employed and by what narratives they tried to present their infidel past back in their homeland. Thus the work aims to contribute to our notion of the Christian-Ottoman encounters in the 15th century, but also to consider the cultural adaptability of late medieval man and the role of captives, men between two worlds, who had to cope with the demands of such an adaptation.

This thesis deals with the origins and subsequent historical development of the Congregation of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren in Jablůnka, particularly from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries. The first part describes the period before the issuing of the Patent of Toleration and its announcement and implementation, particularly in the context of Protestants in Jablůnka. The second part focuses on the nineteenth century; the transformation of a filial church in Jablůnka into an independent Parish church is also discussed. Another event mentioned is the founding of a confessional school and its transformation into a state-run primary school. The third part is devoted to the twentieth century, the pastors of the church and the specific spiritual trends that have influenced the functioning of the community. Future prospects of the congregation are outlined in interviews with its members.

My thesis examines relations among practitioners of various religions, especially Christians and Jews, during the era when Jesus’ project went from being a Galilean sect, to a persecuted minority, to religio licita status, and eventually to imperial favor, all happening between the first century resurrection of Jesus and the fourth century rise of Constantine. There is an abiding image of the Church in wider public consciousness that it is unwittingly and in some cases antagonistically exclusionist. This is not a late-developing image. I trace it to the period that the church developed into a formal organization with the establishment of canons and creeds defined by Church councils. This notion is so pervasive that an historical retrospective of Christianity of any period, from the sect that became a movement, to the Reformation, to the present day’s multiple Christian iterations, is framed by the late Patristic era. The conflicts and solutions reached in that period provided enduring definition to the Church while silencing dissent. I refer here to such actions as the destruction of books and letters and the banishment of bishops. Before there emerged the urgent perceived need for doctrinal uniformity, the presence of Christianity provided a resilient non-militant opponent to and an increasing intellectual critique of all religious traditions, including that of the official gods that were seen to hold the empire together. When glaringly manifest cleavages in the empire persisted, the Emperor Constantine sought to use the church to help bring political unity. He called for church councils, starting with Nicaea in 325 CE that took no account for churches outside the Roman Empire, and many within, even though councils were called “Ecumenical.” The presumption that the church was fully representative without asking for permission from a broader field of constituents is just that: a presumption. This thesis studies the ancient world of Christianity’s growth to explore whether, in that age of new and untested toleration, there was a more advisable way of responding to the invitation to the political table. The answer to this can help us formulate, and perhaps revise, some of our conduct today, especially for Christians who obtain a voice in powerful places.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
D. Th. (Church History)