Robinson Crusoe and the Virtues of Protestantism by Daniel Defoe Many people have pointed out that Robinson Crusoe's experiences on the island appear to be a reflection of the growth of civilization and society. Considering the prominent role that religion plays in the novel, it would be worth examining the progression of religious and political thought in Crusoe's "society." Through one man's experiences, we can observe the progression of religion from the private to the public sphere, the conflicts inherent in that progression, and the resolution of these conflicts. This evolution of religious and political thought affirms two ideas: 1) in the personal sphere, it affirms religious individualism – the idea that one can and should find one's God independently of any authority or human intermediary (i.e. priests); and 2) in the public sphere, the novel asserts that religious tolerance, especially on the part of those in power, is the appropriate way to resolve those conflicts that are inherent in the transition of religion from the private to the public. Crusoe discovers (mostly through trial and error and constant introspection) both of these ideas and ultimately manages to implement them both. He "finds God" without anyone's guidance and eventually becomes a tolerant ruler of the island with respect to religion. Surprisingly, Crusoe never lives up to his personal definition of a "good Christian." But perhaps this is just a touch of realism on Defoe's part, since Crusoe is otherwise so good at recognizing religious individualism and establishing religious tolerance on the island, both of which were very important to Defoe. The first step in Crusoe's religious progression is his personal debate... mid-document... absolute morality of Christianity, especially regarding cannibals and others whom God had apparently chosen to be left in the dark (this question recurs several times--142, 151, 168). For in these "questioning" scenes, Crusoe does not exempt Protestantism from criticism; he is questioning Christianity in general and whether its hold on truth is real or illusory. It seems to me that Defoe was concerned with religious toleration for more than selfish reasons; he saw religious tolerance as a moral responsibility of all Christians, including Catholics and Protestants, and as the only solution to the conflict between the personal and public spheres of religion. Thus Robinson Crusoe turns out to be just as interested in tolerance in general as he is in the virtues of Protestantism. At least in Robinson Crusoe, Defoe turned out to be quite open.

Topic > Robinson Crusoe and the Virtues of Protestantism by Daniel Defoe Many people have pointed out that Robinson Crusoe's experiences on the island appear to be a reflection of the growth of civilization and society. Considering the prominent role that religion plays in the novel, it would be worth examining the progression of religious and political thought in Crusoe's "society." Through one man's experiences, we can observe the progression of religion from the private to the public sphere, the conflicts inherent in that progression, and the resolution of these conflicts. This evolution of religious and political thought affirms two ideas: 1) in the personal sphere, it affirms religious individualism – the idea that one can and should find one's God independently of any authority or human intermediary (i.e. priests); and 2) in the public sphere, the novel asserts that religious tolerance, especially on the part of those in power, is the appropriate way to resolve those conflicts that are inherent in the transition of religion from the private to the public. Crusoe discovers (mostly through trial and error and constant introspection) both of these ideas and ultimately manages to implement them both. He "finds God" without anyone's guidance and eventually becomes a tolerant ruler of the island with respect to religion. Surprisingly, Crusoe never lives up to his personal definition of a "good Christian." But perhaps this is just a touch of realism on Defoe's part, since Crusoe is otherwise so good at recognizing religious individualism and establishing religious tolerance on the island, both of which were very important to Defoe. The first step in Crusoe's religious progression is his personal debate... mid-document... absolute morality of Christianity, especially regarding cannibals and others whom God had apparently chosen to be left in the dark (this question recurs several times--142, 151, 168). For in these "questioning" scenes, Crusoe does not exempt Protestantism from criticism; he is questioning Christianity in general and whether its hold on truth is real or illusory. It seems to me that Defoe was concerned with religious toleration for more than selfish reasons; he saw religious tolerance as a moral responsibility of all Christians, including Catholics and Protestants, and as the only solution to the conflict between the personal and public spheres of religion. Thus Robinson Crusoe turns out to be just as interested in tolerance in general as he is in the virtues of Protestantism. At least in Robinson Crusoe, Defoe turned out to be quite open.