"
[28] Ibid., 372. "Priests are to morality what charlatans are to
medical practice. How different is the God of nature from the God of
the priests! I know of nothing which is so much like atheism as the
religions they have manufactured." Already, in the Constituent
Assembly, Robespierre wanted to prevent the father from endowing a
child. "You have done nothing for liberty if yours laws do not tend
to diminish by mild and effective means the inequality of fortunes."
(Hamel, I., 403.)
[29] Decree of Frimaire 18, year II. - Note the restrictions: "The
convention, in the foregoing arrangement, has no idea of derogating
from any law or precaution for public safety against refractory or
turbulent priests, or against those who might attempt to abuse the
pretext of religion in order to compromise the cause of liberty. Nor
does it mean to disapprove of what has thus far been done by virtue of
the ordinances of representatives of the people, nor to furnish
anybody with a pretext for unsettling patriotism and relaxing the
energy of public spirit."
[30] Decrees of May 27, and August 26, 1792, March 18, April 21 and
October 20, 1793, April 11, and May 11, 1794.
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