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Single Idea 19973

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 2. Religion in Society ]

Full Idea

The power of the clergy is as dangerous in a republic, as it is appropriate to a monarchy.

Gist of Idea

The clergy are essential to a monarchy, but dangerous in a republic

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 02.04)

Book Ref

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.122

A Reaction

This makes me look at the UK in a new light, with the clergy hovering around when the monarch is crowned, and the bishops sitting by right in the House of Lords.

The 22 ideas with the same theme [relative roles of a government and a people's religion]:

2840 The whole state should pay for the worship of the gods [Aristotle]
19813 All legislators invoke God in support of extraordinary laws, because their justification is not obvious [Machiavelli]
7126 Rulers should preserve the foundations of religion, to ensure good behaviour and unity [Machiavelli]
7486 Machiavelli emancipated politics from religion [Machiavelli, by Watson]
20723 Only when working people are poor do they remain obedient to God [Calvin, by Weber]
2361 If fear of unknown powers is legal it is religion, if it is illegal it is superstition [Hobbes]
19927 State and religious law can clash, so the state must make decisions about religion [Spinoza]
19973 The clergy are essential to a monarchy, but dangerous in a republic [Montesquieu]
19987 Religion has the most influence in despotic states, and reinforces veneration for the ruler [Montesquieu]
20004 French slavery was accepted because it was the best method of religious conversion [Montesquieu]
20011 Religion can support the state when the law fails to do so [Montesquieu]
19850 By separating theological and political systems, Jesus caused divisions in the state [Rousseau]
19851 Every society has a religion as its base [Rousseau]
19852 Civil religion needs one supreme god, an afterlife, justice, and the sanctity of the social contract [Rousseau]
19853 All religions should be tolerated, if they tolerate each other, and support citizenship [Rousseau]
21085 The church has a political role, by offering a supreme power over people [Kant]
19625 The ideal is to impose a religion by force, and then live in doubt about its beliefs [Cioran]
12316 For Enlightenment philosophers, God was no longer involved in politics [Badiou]
21020 Any establishment belief system is incompatible with full respect for all citizens [Nussbaum]
22266 The case for religious liberty depends on the religion contributing to a morally good life [Sandel]
21124 Religious toleration has been institutionalised by the separation of church and state [Shorten]
20620 If minority views are accepted in debate, then religious views must be accepted [Tuckness/Wolf]