TOLERANCE AND COMMUNITY - A MEDIEVAL COMMUNAL FUNCTIONALIST ARGUMENT FOR RELIGIOUS TOLERATION

Liberal political theory has claimed to be the unique advocate of reli gious toleration. But a theory of religious toleration is not solely a hallmark of liberalism. This is demonstrated as both a philosophical and a historical claim by appealing to the theory of ''communal functi onalism'' which formed an important strain of political thought during the Latin Middle Ages. The defense of religious toleration proposed b y the fourteenth century author Marsiglio of Padua is closely examined . Marsiglio advances the view that religious difference should not be an impediment to civic intercourse and inclusion, nor a matter of publ ic regulation. Marsiglio's theory is able to inform current discussion s about toleration of religious and other personal differences.