24.1. 1. Of Religion in General.
As amidst several degrees of darkness we
may form a judgment of those which are the least thick, and among
precipices which are the least deep, so we may search among false
religions for those that are most conformable to the welfare of society;
for those which, though they have not the effect of leading men to the
felicity of another life, may contribute most to their happiness in
this.
I shall examine, therefore, the several religions of the world, in
relation only to the good they produce in civil society, whether I speak
of that which has its root in heaven, or of those which spring from the
earth.
As in this work I am not a divine but a political writer, I may here
advance things which are not otherwise true than as they correspond with
a worldly manner of thinking, not as considered in their relation to
truths of a more sublime nature.
With regard to the true religion, a person of the least degree of
impartiality must see that I have never pretended to make its interests
submit to those of a political nature, but rather to unite them; now, in
order to unite, it is necessary that we should know them.
The Christian religion, which ordains that men should love each
other, would, without doubt, have every nation blest with the best
civil, the best political laws; because these, next to this religion,
are the greatest good that men can give and receive.
