Chapter XV

Testimonies against Intolerance.

“It is impious, in matters of religion, to rob people of their freedom and prevent them from choosing a divinity; neither man nor God would wish for service given under compulsion.” (Apologétique, ch. 24.)

“If violence were used to defend the faith, the bishops would oppose it.” (St. Hilaire, Liv. I.)

“Religion imposed by force is religion no longer; we must persuade, not compel. Religion cannot be commanded.” (Lactance, Liv. 3.)

“It is an execrable heresy to try to drag people by force, by blows, by imprisonment, when reason has failed to convince them.” (St. Athanase, Liv. I.)

“Nothing is more contrary to religion than coercion.” (St. Justin, Martyr, Liv. 5.)

“Shall we persecute those whom God tolerates?” said St. Augustine, before his quarrel with the Donatists made him too severe.

“Let no violence be done to the Jews.” (4me. Concile de Tolede, 56me. canon.)

“Counsel, and do not compel.” (Lettres de saint Bernard.)

“We do not propose to destroy errors by violence.” (Discours du Clergé de France à Louis XIII.)

“We have always disapproved of harsh measures.” (Assemblée du Clergé, 11me. Aoust 1560.)

“We know that faith is won by persuasion, not imposed by command.” (Fléchier, Evêque de Nîmes, Lettre 19.)

“We must not even use insulting words.” (L'Evêque du Belley dans une Instr. pastorale.)

“Remember that the soul's diseases cannot be cured by compulsion and violence.” (Le Cardinal le Camus, Instruction pastorale de 1688.)

“Grant civil toleration to everyone.” (Fénelon, Archevêque de Cambrai, au Duc de Bourgogne.)

“The forcible imposition of a religion is clear proof that the spirit directing it is an enemy of truth.” (Dirois, Docteur de Sorbonne, Liv. 6, chap. 4.)

“Violence can make hypocrites; we do not persuade by making threats resound on every side.” (Tillemont, Hist. Eccl. tom. 6.)

“It has seemed to us consistent with equity and sound reason to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Church, which used no violence to establish and extend religion.” (Remontr. du Parlement de Paris à Henri II.)

“Experience teaches us that violence is more likely to inflame than to cure an evil rooted in the mind, etc.” (De Thou, Epître dédicatoire à Henri IV..)

“Faith is not inspired by sword blows.” (Cérisier, sur les regnes de Henri IV & de Louis XIII.)

“It is a barbarous zeal that claims to plant religion in people's hearts, as though persuasion could be the effect of coercion.” (Boulainvilliers, Etat de la France.)

“Religion is like love: commands can do nothing there, and coercion still less; nothing is more independent than loving and believing.” (Amelot de la Houssaye, sur les Lettres du Cardinal d'Ossat.)

“If Heaven has loved you enough to let you see the truth, it has bestowed a great grace upon you; but should those who possess their Father's inheritance hate those who do not?” (Esprit des Loix, Liv. 25.)

An enormous book could be composed entirely of passages like these. Our histories, our speeches, our sermons, our works on morals, our catechisms—all breathe, all teach today this sacred duty of forbearance. By what fatality, by what inconsistency would we contradict in practice a doctrine we proclaim every day? When our actions contradict our morality, it is because we believe there is some advantage for us in doing the opposite of what we teach; but there is certainly no advantage in persecuting those who disagree with us and making them hate us. Once again, then, intolerance is absurd. But, someone will say, those who have an interest in constraining consciences are not absurd. The short chapter that follows is addressed to them.

Statements against Intolerance.

It is an offense against God to take away people's freedom in matters of religion and prevent them from choosing a god. No person, no god, would want forced service. (Apologétique, ch. 24.)

If violence were used to defend the faith, the bishops would oppose it. (St. Hilaire, Liv. I.)

Forced religion is no longer religion. People must be persuaded, not compelled. Religion cannot be ordered. (Lactance, Liv. 3.)

It is a hateful heresy to try to drag people over by force, beatings, and imprisonment when you have failed to convince them by reason. (St. Athanase, Liv. I.)

Nothing is more opposed to religion than compulsion. (St. Justin, Martyr, Liv. 5.)

"Should we persecute people whom God tolerates?" said St. Augustine, before his quarrel with the Donatists made him too harsh.

Let no violence be done to the Jews. (4me. Concile de Tolede, 56me. canon.)

Advise people; do not force them. (Lettres de saint Bernard.)

We do not claim to destroy errors through violence. (Discours du Clergé de France à Louis XIII.)

We have always disapproved of harsh measures. (Assemblée du Clergé, 11me. Aoust 1560.)

We know that faith comes through persuasion, not commands. (Fléchier, Evêque de Nîmes, Lettre 19.)

We should not even use insulting words. (L'Evêque du Belley dans une Instr. pastorale.)

Remember that illnesses of the soul cannot be cured by force and violence. (Le Cardinal le Camus, Instruction pastorale de 1688.)

Give everyone civil toleration. (Fénelon, Archevêque de Cambrai, au Duc de Bourgogne.)

Enforcing a religion is clear proof that the spirit directing it is an enemy of truth. (Dirois, Docteur de Sorbonne, Liv. 6, chap. 4.)

Violence can make hypocrites. You do not persuade people by making threats ring out everywhere. (Tillemont, Hist. Eccl. tom. 6.)

We thought it consistent with fairness and sound reason to follow the example of the early Church, which did not use violence to establish and spread religion. (Remontr. du Parlement de Paris à Henri II.)

Experience teaches us that violence is more likely to aggravate than to cure an evil rooted in the mind, etc. (De Thou, Epître dédicatoire à Henri IV..)

Faith cannot be driven into people with sword blows. (Cérisier, sur les regnes de Henri IV & de Louis XIII.)

The zeal that claims to plant religion in people's hearts is barbaric, as though persuasion could result from force. (Boulainvilliers, Etat de la France.)

Religion is like love: commands have no power over it, and force has even less. Nothing is less subject to outside control than loving and believing. (Amelot de la Houssaye, sur les Lettres du Cardinal d'Ossat.)

If Heaven has loved you enough to let you see the truth, it has given you a great blessing. But should those who have their Father's inheritance hate those who do not? (Esprit des Loix, Liv. 25.)

We could make an enormous book out of passages like these alone. Today our histories, speeches, sermons, works on morals, and catechisms all express and teach this sacred duty of leniency. What fatal influence, what inconsistency could make our practice contradict a principle we proclaim every day? When our actions contradict our moral teaching, it is because we think we stand to gain by doing the opposite of what we teach. But we certainly gain nothing by persecuting people who disagree with us and making them hate us. Once again, then, intolerance is absurd. But, someone will say, the people who have an interest in restricting consciences are not absurd. The next short chapter is addressed to them.