Atheism preferable to superstition

Atheisme leaves a Man to Sense; to Philosophy; to Naturall Piety; to Lawes; to Reputation; All which may be Guides to an outward Morall vertue, though Religion were not; But Superstition dismounts all these, and erecteth an absolute Monarchy, in the Mindes of Men. Therefore Atheisme did never perturb States; For it makes Men wary of themselves, as looking no further: And we see the times enclined to Atheisme (as the Time of Augustus Caesar) were civil Times. But Superstition, hath been the Confusion of many states... The Master of Superstition is the People; And in all Superstition, Wise Men follow Fooles; And Arguments are fitted to Practise, in a reversed Order... The Causes of Superstition are: Pleasing and sensuall Rites and Ceremonies; Excess of Outward and Pharisaical Holinesse; Over-great Reverence of Traditions...; the Stratagems of Prelates, for their own Ambition and Lucre; the Favouring too much of good Intentions, which openeth the Gate to Conceits and Novelties; The taking an Aime at divine Matters by Human, which cannot but breed mixture of Imaginations; And lastly, Barbarous Times, Especially joyned with Calamities and Disasters.

Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam (1561–1626)

from ‘Of Superstition’ in Essayes or Counsels, Civill and Morall (1625)


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