Does it require the efforts of genius to comprehend that what is beyond
man, is not made for men; that what is supernatural, is not made for
natural beings; that impenetrable mysteries are not made for limited
minds? If theologians are foolish enough to dispute about subjects which
they acknowledge to be unintelligible to themselves, should society take
a part in their foolish quarrels? Must human blood flow in order to give
value to the conjectures of a few obstinate visionists? If it is very
difficult to cure the theologians of their mania and the people of their
prejudices, it is at least very easy to prevent the extravagances of the
one and the folly of the other from producing pernicious effects. Let
each one be allowed to think as he chooses, but let him not be allowed
to annoy others for their mode of thinking. If the chiefs of nations
were more just and more sensible, theological opinions would not disturb
the public tranquillity any more than the disputes of philosophers,
physicians, grammarians, and of critics. It is the tyranny of princes
which makes theological quarrels have serious consequences. When kings
shall cease to meddle with theology, theological quarrels will no longer
be a thing to fear.
Those who boast so much upon the importance and usefulness of religion,
ought to show us its beneficial results, and the advantages that the
disputes and abstract speculations of theology can bring to porters, to
artisans, to farmers, to fishmongers, to women, and to so many depraved
servants, with whom the large cities are filled. People of this kind are
all religious, they have implicit faith; their priests believe for them;
they accept a faith unknown to their guides; they listen assiduously to
sermons; they assist regularly in ceremonies; they think it a great
crime to transgress the ordinances to which from childhood they have
been taught to conform. What good to morality results from all this?
None whatever; they have no idea of morality, and you see them indulge
in all kinds of rogueries, frauds, rapine, and excesses which the law
does not punish. The masses, in truth, have no idea of religion; what is
called religion, is but a blind attachment to unknown opinions and
mysterious dealings. In fact, to deprive the people of religion, is
depriving them of nothing. If we should succeed in destroying their
prejudices, we would but diminish or annihilate the dangerous confidence
which they have in self-interested guides, and teach them to beware of
those who, under the pretext of religion, very often lead them into
fatal excesses.