Just the opposite in modern society; what was once the rule has now
become the exception; the antique system survives only in temporary
associations, like that of an army, or in special associations, as in
a convent. Gradually, the individual has liberated himself, and century
after century, he has extended his domain and the two chains which once
bound him fast to the community, have snapped or been lightened.
In the first place, public power has ceased to consist of a militia
protecting a cult. In the beginning, through the institution of
Christianity, civil society and religious society have become two
distinct empires, Christ himself having separated the two jurisdictions;
"Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto God the things
that are God's."
Additionally, through the rise of Protestantism, the great Church is
split into numerous sects which, unable to destroy each other, have been
so compelled to live together and the State, even when preferring one
of them, has found it necessary to tolerate the others. Finally,
through the development of Protestantism, philosophy and the sciences,
speculative beliefs have multiplied. There are almost as many faiths
now-a-days as there are thinking men, and, as thinking men are becoming
daily more numerous, opinions are daily becoming more numerous. So
should the State try to impose any one of these on society, this would
excite opposition from an infinity of others; hence the wisdom
in governing is found, first, in remaining neutral, and, next, in
acknowledging that it is not qualified to interfere.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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