At the Red Global conference on Religious Diversity and Globalisation, Prof. Lautaro Roig Lanzillotta offered a sweeping reflection on the legacy of John Locke’s 1689 “Letter Concerning Toleration,” arguing that its core principles remain profoundly relevant in a world marked by religious tensions, political polarisation and new forms of ideological conflict. His remarks came during a session highlighted in the broader programme covered by The European Times.
A 17th-century warning for 21st-century realities
In his lecture, Prof. Roig Lanzillotta revisited John Locke’s foundational defence of freedom of conscience, drawing a sharp line between the spiritual and political spheres. “By emphasizing freedom of conscience as a foundation for distinguishing between church and state, or more precisely, between spiritual and political authority, Locke helps lay the groundwork for a new vision of society,” he said.
He argued that Locke’s insights emerged from centuries of religious conflict, from the Crusades to the Wars of Religion, offering a model of coexistence built on reciprocity, civic stability and the protection of individual belief. Yet, he warned that many of Locke’s core arguments are “strikingly absent” in today’s global environment.
The return of old patterns of intolerance
The professor drew attention to contemporary crises—from Gaza to Sudan and India—where religious identity remains deeply entangled with politics. “The contamination of politics with religion and vice versa has brought us to a point where meaningful dialogue has become almost impossible,” he noted.
He pointed to the spread of religiously coded nationalism, the erosion of secular governance and the weaponisation of belief in political discourse. “From the United States to Argentina, religious fanaticism has re-emerged in the Americas,” he explained, warning that even allegedly secular European societies are showing growing fractures fuelled by far-right ideologies.
Ignorance, exposure and the paradox of diversity
Prof. Roig Lanzillotta emphasised how modern connectivity exposes societies to greater religious and cultural diversity, while simultaneously amplifying backlash. “On the one hand, technology, tourism and migration expose us more and more to diversity. On the other hand, combined with ignorance, this exposure generates rejection instead of fostering acceptance,” he observed.
Here, he returned to Locke’s view that “just and moderate governments are everywhere quiet and secure,” drawing a parallel to modern struggles with intolerance, misinformation and polarisation.
Red Global: Building literacy and reciprocity
A central part of the speech outlined the mission of Red Global and the Erasmus Mundus International Master’s Programme on Religious Diversity. “With the conviction that enlightenment or knowledge is the antidote to ignorance, several European and Latin American universities have joined forces to create an international and intersectoral programme of excellence,” he said.
The network brings together universities from Groningen to Córdoba, Brasília to Santiago de Chile, alongside non-academic partners in interfaith dialogue, sociological research, and civil society. Among its distinctive features, he highlighted that it is “the only master funded by the European Commission that focuses on religious topics,” combining academic research with practical engagement across communities.
Red Global’s forthcoming initiatives include an online platform to connect institutions and practitioners, and an application to join the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network under Horizon Europe—expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary PhD training.
Locke’s four principles as a roadmap for today
To close his lecture, Prof. Roig Lanzillotta underlined how Locke’s defence of tolerance can still guide societies facing escalating conflict and ideological fragmentation. Red Global’s mission, he said, is explicitly designed to preserve these principles:
- a clear separation between religious and public spheres,
- the free circulation of ideas,
- reciprocity and mutual recognition,
- and a deep engagement with religious diversity rooted in historical understanding.
“Three and a half centuries after its publication, Locke’s arguments are more relevant and necessary than ever,” he concluded, pointing to the global regression in human rights protections, including freedom of conscience and belief.
A timely reflection amid growing global pressures
Prof. Roig Lanzillotta’s intervention provided not only historical depth but also a pointed reminder that religious diversity and freedom of belief—principles enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—are facing acute challenges. His analysis offered a bridge between Enlightenment ideals and contemporary crises, underscoring the role that education, dialogue and structural cooperation can play in restoring a culture of tolerance.
