The Diggers, also known as True Levellers, were adherents of Dissenter Protestantism.
This radical group emerged during the English Civil War, advocating for a communal and egalitarian society based on agrarian principles. Their religious beliefs were deeply intertwined with their social and political ideology, driving their actions to reclaim and cultivate common land.
Religious Affiliation of the Diggers
The Diggers' religious views stemmed from the broader movement of Protestant Dissenters in 17th-century England. This category encompassed various non-conformist groups who rejected the established Church of England. Their beliefs often emphasized:
- Direct Access to God: A rejection of ecclesiastical hierarchy in favor of a personal relationship with the divine.
- Social Justice: A strong emphasis on biblical teachings regarding equality, poverty, and communal living.
- Millenarianism: Some Digger beliefs may have included an expectation of a coming "Fifth Monarchy" or a new age of justice and equality on Earth, inspired by radical interpretations of scripture.
Their Dissenter Protestantism provided the theological framework for their radical agrarianism, leading them to believe that the Earth should be a "common treasury for all" and that private property was a violation of divine law.
