The construct of religion has existed in the society from the time man began to believe in a spiritual deity. It entails putting ones faith to a supernatural realm such that one abides by certain rules and principles as ways of being faithful to the Supreme Being. Religion is constantly passed from one generation to another as a way of cherishing and sticking to the customs that have governed the society for a long period of time. The works, The Creed of a Savoyard Priest by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Candide in Voltaire present various perspectives regarding religion in general and Christianity.
The Creed of a Savoyard Priest by Jean-Jacques Rousseau presents the scholars attempt to analyze the concept of religion and God as Emile gets ready to begin religious education. Rousseau positions Emile in a situation where he is being taught by the Savoyard Priest. The priest lays out the aspects of a virtuous man, a man like Emile, that entail getting into a relationship with God, the church in addition to the scriptures. The main goal of the instructions by the priest it to show Emile that for him to understand religion. He has to approach it with skepticism and with an open mind. Also, Emile has to identify the power of God through his own accord and not as a result of the force presented by the dogma in church. Rousseau explains that Emile may take part in the corrupt society without the fear of being corrupted after understanding the history and the ways in which society corrupts man. It can be viewed that Rousseau approaches religion as a construct that requires time and great analysis for it to be understood. His idea of a virtuous man is the one who has not been corrupted by the society. He asserts, To complain that God does not prevent us from doing wrong is to complain because he has made man of so excellent a nature, that he has endowed his actions with that morality by which they are ennobled, that he has made virtue man's birthright, (Rousseau).
Rousseau approaches religion as construct that requires to be approached through freethinking o rather with an open mind. An individual has to question the basics associated with religion in addition to his role instead of being led by dogmas that are already present in the church. His view is that skepticism allows one to fully understand the construct of religion and its significance to human kind. The skeptic nature is illustrated in his statement;
I believe, therefore, that the world is governed by a wise and powerful will, I see it or rather I feel it, and it is a great thing to know this. But has this same world always existed, or has it been created. Is there one source of all things? Are there two or many? What is their nature? I know not; and what concern is it of mine? When these things become of importance to me I will try to learn them; till then I abjure these idle speculations, which may trouble my peace, but cannot affect my conduct nor be comprehended by my reason, (Rousseau).
He further explains that after discovering about the nature of God and the attitudes and behavior associated with relating with him, it became easier for him to comprehend his existence. He explains that after self-examination, through his will, he is able to carry put actions and have the choice of engaging in an action or ceasing from it. He acknowledges the fact that through his intelligence, he has the ability to analyze the events taking place in his life.
He asserts, What being here below, except man, can observe others, measure, calculate, forecast their motions, their effects, and unite, so to speak, the feeling of a common existence with that of his individual existence? What is there so absurd in the thought that all things are made for me, when I alone can relate all things to myself? (Rousseau) Therefore, for Emile to fully understand himself and religion, he has to involve introspection. If he understands himself and the role that he has as a human being, then it becomes easier to comprehend the nature of God and the obligation that Emile has towards God.
Candide in Voltaire presents a story of a man named Candide who lived with his uncle Pangloss who was a German baron. Candide goes through plenty of misfortunes after being chased away by his uncle after he finds him kissing his daughter. Candide becomes a burglar and leads a life where he narrowly escapes danger. In the end, it is him and his uncle trying to find something better for their lives.
It can be perceived that Voltaire depicts religion as full of hypocrisy. He uses satire to illustrate a structured religion that is full of false and corrupt leaders who are present in every part of the novel. A good example is the pope who instead of being celibate has a daughter and hosts a mistress. Also, despite the pope being part of a Franciscan friar, he steals jewelry and hence going against the poverty vow that is made by every member of the Franciscan friar. Voltaire also includes a Jesuit administrator who exhibits homosexual tendencies which is not in line with the religious construct. Also, the leaders take part in campaigns that oppress the public especially people who do not align with their views and issues they present in the name of religion. A good example is the persecution of Pangloss and Candide because of expression of thoughts. It can be noted that Voltaire is not fully against religion as he does not criticize the believer. He presents Jacques who is part of the radical protestant group, as being the most humane individual. Voltaire states;
A man who had never been christened, an honest Anabaptist named Jacques, was witness to the cruel and ignominious treatment showed to one of his brethren, to a rational featherless biped. Moved with pity he carried him to his house, caused him to be cleaned, gave him meat and drink, and made him a present of two florins, at the same time proposing to instruct him in his own trade of weaving Persian silks, which are fabricated in Holland, (Voltaire).
Voltaire presents the view that there lacks a perfect God as evil and good can take place at the same time. The idea is that the presence of any evil in the world implies that God is partially good or rather not fully powerful and hence implying that God is perfect is nonsensical. Voltaire states;
The enormous riches which this rascal had stolen were sunk beside him in the sea, and nothing was saved but a single sheep. You see, said Candide to Martin, crime is punished sometimes; this scoundrel of a Dutch merchant has met the fate he deserved. Yes, said Martin; but did the passengers aboard his ship have to perish too? God punished the scoundrel, the devil drowned the others (Voltaire).
The statement emanates during the debate between Martin and Candide in regards to Vanderdendurs ship that had sunk. Candide views the incidence as a form of justice concerning Vanderdendurs doom. However, Martin views the accident as unjust because of the innocent lives that were lost. From Candides perspective, the event was a combination of Gods just system and the devils bad plans. The assumption is that God is not perfect as the devil also has part in influencing the events that take place in the lives of human beings.
As stated earlier, the works, The Creed of a Savoyard Priest by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Candide in Voltaire present various perspectives regarding religion in general and Christianity. Voltaire and Rousseau presents opposite views regarding religion whereby the former assumes that there is nothing such as a perfect God while the latter perceives that God is perfect. Voltaire perceives the religious institution as hypocritical through the presence of corrupt religious leaders. However, Rousseau presents the view that God is perfect and that man naturally virtuous. However, because of the corrupt nature present in the society one is easily corrupted. Also, when one abides by God, he or she receives a virtuous life.
Works Cited
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Emile, 1755. Everyman Edition; excerpt: Creed of a Savoyard Priest, 1911. https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/economics/rousseau/emile/ch01.htm
Voltaire. Candide; or Optimism. A.C Kibel, 1759. https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/literature/21l-448j-darwin-and-design-fall-2003/readings/lecture4.pdf
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