Of Unity in Religion
by
Francis Bacon
(Summary)
Bacon wrote the essay, Of Unity in Religion
during religious change in England during Queen Elizabeth first reign. During
this period, Protestantism was establishing itself as the predominant religion
in England under the Church of England. Bacon was an experienced politician and
he saw the importance of a unified church for the stability and advancement of
the English empire, and he wrote the essay.
Of
Unity in Religion was originally published in 1612, but was expanded to its
current length in 1625. In the essay, Bacon says, that religion is the primary
glue that holds human society together. He says, that pagan religion be free of
strife and division because it was based on rites and ceremonies rather than
set beliefs.
Bacon’s
argument is that religious divisions are detrimental to religion, charity, and
peace and should thus be avoided. Religion is meant to maintain the unity of
human civilization. According to Bacon, Christians should remain united around
their religion’s fundamental principles. He sees no damage in quarrels about little
issues or irrelevant points. This allows for a range of viewpoints on
non-essential issues to be permitted. For example, different forms of church
government and ritual and worship are permissible, as the Bible contains no
definitive rule on these subjects. However, when the Bible expressly
establishes a rule or doctrine, it must be accepted without reservation. Bacon’s
advice is unquestionably valuable and applicable to members of other religions
as well. Not only Christians, but adherents of any religion would be wise to
retain a sense of unity on their religion’s fundamentals while tolerating
disagreements over small points.
According
to Bacon, men must not violate the laws of human society or human charity in
order to maintain religious unity. Christians have two swords at their disposal
to defend their Church: the spiritual sword symbolised by priestly authority
and the temporal sword symbolised by the secular power of the government when
invited by the Church to defend it. However, Christians should abstain from
using the third sword – the sword of the Prophet Mohammed – which implied
resorting to bloodshed and conflict in order to convert people to a certain
religion. Persecution and rebellion are not justified in the name of the
Church’s unity. Persecution infringes on the rights of others, whereas
rebellion is directed against the divinely ordained and declared institution of
government. Man’s obligation to God should not negate man’s obligation to man.
Bacon
says, that the Church’s unity is the surest method to safeguard religion. He gives
advantages of religious unity, including the ability to please God and
accomplish religious objectives. Members of the Church can bring about peace,
strengthen faith, and promote charity. He says, that the church should reject
unity based on ignorance of inconsistencies, as well as patchwork unity that is
artificial or false unity. He implores both church and state not to be
rebellious toward one another, as this would contradict the fundamental principles
of man’s duty to God and mankind. One should not act like a devil with the goal
of obtaining God’s throne. He says, that those who convert people through
coercion are doing so for personal gain, not for the sake of religion.
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