The Age of Reason – Volume 4 (1794-1796)

For several years, I have intended to publish my thoughts on religion. I am well aware of the difficulties that attend the subject, and from that consideration, I had reserved it for a more advanced period of life. I intended it to be the last offering I should make to my fellow citizens of all nations, and that at a time when the purity of the motive that induced me to it could not admit of a question, even by those who might disapprove the work.

The circumstance that has now taken place in France, of the total abolition of the whole national order of priesthood and everything appertaining to compulsive systems of religion and compulsive articles of faith, has not only precipitated my intention but rendered a work of this kind exceedingly necessary, lest, in the general wreck of superstition, of false systems of government, and false theology, we lose sight of morality, of humanity, and of the actual theology.

Several of my colleagues and fellow citizens of France have given me the example of making their voluntary and individual profession of faith, so I will also make mine. I do this with all that sincerity and frankness with which man’s mind communicates.

I believe in one God and no more, and I hope for happiness beyond this life.

I believe in man’s equality and that religious duties consist of doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavouring to make our fellow creatures happy.

But, lest it should be supposed that I believe many other things in addition to these, I shall, in the progress of this work, declare the things I do not think so and my reasons for not believing them.

I do not believe in the creeds professed by the Jewish church, the Roman church, the Greek church, the Turkish church, the Protestant church, or any other church that I know of. My mind is my church.

All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind and monopolize power and profit.