Superstition in all agesHolbach, Paul Henri Thiry, baron d'
Religion
Superstition in all ages
Holbach, Paul Henri Thiry, baron d'
Atheism
Religion is a thing of custom and fashion; we must do as others do. But,
among the many religions in the world, which one ought we to choose?
This examination would be too long and too painful; we must then hold to
the faith of our fathers, to that of our country, or to that of the
prince, who, possessing power, must be the best. Chance alone decides
the religion of a man and of a people. The French would be to-day as
good Mussulmen as they are Christians, if their ancestors had not
repulsed the efforts of the Saracens. If we judge of the intentions of
Providence by the events and the revolutions of this world, we are
compelled to believe that it is quite indifferent about the different
religions which exist on earth. During thousands of years Paganism,
Polytheism, and Idolatry have been the religions of the world; we are
assured today, that during this period the most flourishing nations had
not the least idea of the Deity, an idea which is claimed, however, to
be so important to all men. The Christians pretend that, with the
exception of the Jewish people, that is to say, a handful of unfortunate
beings, the whole human race lived in utter ignorance of its duties
toward God, and had but imperfect ideas of Divine majesty. Christianity,
offshoot of Judaism, which was very humble in its obscure origin, became
powerful and cruel under the Christian emperors, who, driven by a holy
zeal, spread it marvelously in their empire by sword and fire, and
founded it upon the ruins of overthrown Paganism. Mohammed and his
successors, aided by Providence, or by their victorious arms, succeeded
in a short time in expelling the Christian religion from a part of Asia,
Africa, and even of Europe itself; the Gospel was compelled to surrender
to the Koran. In all the factions or sects which during a great number
of centuries have lacerated the Christians, "THE REASON OF THE STRONGEST
WAS ALWAYS THE BEST;" the arms and the will of the princes alone decided
upon the most useful doctrine for the salvation of the nations. Could we
not conclude by this, either that the Deity takes but little interest in
the religion of men, or that He declares Himself always in favor of
opinions which best suit the Authorities of the earth, in order that He
can change His systems as soon as they take a notion to change?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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