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OF SUPERSTITION AND ENTHUSIASM

                                     

                                     

                           David Hume

                                

                              1741

                                





     ;

is grown into a maxim; and is commonly proved; among other

instances; by the pernicious effects of  and

; the corruptions of true religion。

     These two species of false religion; though both pernicious;

are yet of a very different; and even of a contrary nature。 The

mind of man is subject to certain unaccountable terrors and

apprehensions; proceeding either from the unhappy situation of

private or public affairs; from ill health; from a gloomy and

melancholy disposition; or from the concurrence of all these

circumstances。 In such a state of mind; infinite unknown evils

are dreaded from unknown agents; and where real objects of terror

are wanting; the soul; active to its own prejudice; and fostering

its predominant inclination; finds imaginary ones; to whose power

and malevolence it sets no limits。 As these enemies are entirely

invisible and unknown; the methods taken to appease them are

equally unaccountable; and consist in ceremonies; observances;

mortifications; sacrifices; presents; or in any practice; however

absurd or frivolous; which either folly or knavery recommends to

a blind and terrified credulity。 Weakness; fear; melancholy;

together with ignorance; are; therefore; the true sources of

Superstition。

     But the mind of man is also subject to an unaccountable

elevation and presumption; arising from prosperous success; from

luxuriant health; from strong spirits; or from a bold and

confident disposition。 In such a state of mind; the imagination

swells with great; but confused conceptions; to which no

sublunary beauties or enjoyments can correspond。 Every thing

mortal and perishable vanishes as unworthy of attention。 And a

full range is given to the fancy in the invisible regions or

world of spirits; where the soul is at liberty to indulge itself

in every imagination; which may best suit its present taste and

disposition。 Hence arise raptures; transports; and surprising

flights of fancy; and confidence and presumption still

encreasing; these raptures; being altogether unaccountable; and

seeming quite beyond the reach of our ordinary faculties; are

attributed to the immediate inspiration of that Divine Being; who

is the object of devotion。 In a little time; the inspired person

comes to regard himself as a distinguished favourite of the

Divinity; and when this frenzy once takes place; which is the

summit of enthusiasm; every whimsy is consecrated: Human reason;

and even morality are rejected as fallacious guides: And the

fanatic madman delivers himself over; blindly; and with out

reserve; to the supposed illapses of the spirit; and to

inspiration from above。 Hope; pride; presumption; a warm

imagination; together with ignorance; are; therefore; the true

sources of Enthusiasm。

     These two species of false religion might afford occasion to

many speculations; but I shall confine myself; at present; to a

few reflections concerning their different influence on

government and society。

     My first reflection is; 。 As superstition is

founded on fear; sorrow; and a depression of spirits; it

represents the man to himself in such despicable colours; that he

appears unworthy; in his own eyes; of approaching the divine

presence; and naturally has recourse to any other person; whose

sanctity of life; or; perhaps; impudence and cunning; have made

him be supposed more favoured by the Divinity。 To him the

superstitious entrust their devotions: To his care they recommend

their prayers; petitions; and sacrifices: And by his means; they

hope to render their addresses acceptable to their incensed

Deity。 Hence the origin of Priests;'2' who may justly be regarded

as an invention of a timorous and abject superstition; which;

ever diffident of itself; dares not offer up its own devotions;

but ignorantly thinks to recommend itself to the Divinity; by the

mediation of his supposed friends and servants。 As superstition

is a considerable ingredient in almost all religions; even the

most fanatical; there being nothing but philosophy able entirely

to conquer these unaccountable terrors; hence it proceeds; that

in almost every sect of religion there are priests to be found:

But the stronger mixture there is of superstition; the higher is

the authority of the priesthood。'3'

     On the other hand; it may be observed; that all enthusiasts

have been free from the yoke of ecclesiastics; and have expressed

great independence in their devotion; with a contempt of forms;

ceremonies; and traditions。 The quakers are the most egregious;

though; at the same time; the most innocent enthusiasts that have

yet been known; and are; perhaps; the only sect; that have never

admitted priests amongst them。 The independents; of all the

English sectaries; approach nearest to the quakers in fanaticism;

and in their freedom from priestly bondage。 The presbyterians

follow after; at an equal distance in both particulars。 In short

this observation is founded in experience; and will also appear

to be founded in reason; if we consider; that; as enthusiasm

arises from a presumptuous pride and confidence; it thinks itself

sufficiently qualified to approach the Divinity; without any

human mediator。 Its rapturous devotions are so fervent; that it

even imagines itself actually to approach him by the way of

contemplation and inward converse; which makes it neglect all

those outward ceremonies and observances; to which the assistance

of the priests appears so requisite in the eyes of their

superstitious votaries。 The fanatic consecrates himself; and

bestows on his own person a sacred character; much superior to

what forms and ceremonious institutions can confer on any other。

     My  reflection with regard to these species of false

religion is; 。 The violence of this species of religion; when

excited by novelty; and animated by opposition; appears from

numberless instances; of the  in Germany; the

 in France; the l and other fanatics in

England and the  in Scotland。 Enthusiasm being

founded on strong spirits; and a presumptuous boldness of

character; it naturally begets the most extreme resolutions;

especially after it rises to that height as to inspire the

deluded fanatic with the opinion of divine illuminations; and

with a contempt for the common rules of reason; morality; and

prudence。

     It is thus enthusiasm produces the most cruel disorders in

human society; but its fury is like that of thunder and tempest;

which exhaust themselves in a little time; and leave the air more

calm and pure than before。 When the first fire of enthusiasm is

spent; men naturally; in all fanatical sects; sink into the

greatest remissness and coolness in sacred matters; there being

no body of men among them; endowed with sufficient authority;

whose interest is concerned to support the religious spirit: No

rites; no ceremonies; no holy observances; which may enter into

the common train of life; and preserve the sacred principles from

oblivion。 Superstition; on the contrary; steals in gradually and

insensibly; renders men tame and submissive; is acceptable to the

magistrate; and seems inoffensive to the people: Till at last the

priest; having firmly established his authority; becomes the

tyrant and disturber of human society; by his endless

contentions; persecutions; and religious wars。 How smoothly did

the Romish church advance in her acquisition of power ? But into

what dismal convulsions did she throw all Europe; in order to

maintain it ? On the other hand; our sectaries; who were formerly

such dangerous bigots; are now become very free reasoners; and

the  seem to approach nearly the only regular body of

 in the universe; the l; or the disciples of

Confucius in China。'4'

     My  observation on this head is; 。 As

superstition groans under the dominion of priests; and enthusiasm

is destructive of all ecclesiastical power; this sufficiently

accounts for the present observation。 Not to mention; that

enthusiasm; being the infirmity of bold and ambitious tempers; is

naturally accompanied with a spirit of liberty; as superstition;

on the contrary; renders men tame and abject; and fits them for

slavery。 We learn from English history; that; during the civil

wars; the  and

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