The ideas of which philosopher were influential for establishing religious freedom in the United States?

The ideas of Baruch Spinoza were pivotal in establishing concepts of religious freedom in the United States. Spinoza was a 17th-century philosopher who advocated for the separation of church and state and argued that religion should be a matter of individual conscience rather than a societal mandate. His writings emphasized rational thought and critiqued traditional religious beliefs, leading to the idea that individuals should have the freedom to practice their beliefs or none at all without interference from the government. This foundation of tolerance and personal liberty greatly influenced Enlightenment thinkers who shaped the foundations of American political philosophy, particularly regarding religious freedom and the rights of the individual.

The other philosophers mentioned, while significant in their respective areas, did not focus as directly on issues of religious freedom. David Hume contributed to empiricism and skepticism, Karl Marx focused on class struggle and economic systems, and John Stuart Mill is best known for his contributions to liberalism and utilitarianism, but not specifically the establishment of religious freedom in the context of the United States.