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RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT.
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Examines views of Hobbes and Rousseau.... More...
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Paper Abstract:
Examines views of Hobbes and Rousseau. Hobbes' belief that religion is a part of ruling a people; State and Church as the same men. Rousseau's belief in the separation of Church and State; man's law different from divine law. Argument of who has the final authority to rule. Applies concepts to current time period.

Paper Introduction:
RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT AS SEEN BY HOBBES AND ROUSSEAU Hobbes and Rousseau have very different views when it comes to religion and politics. Hobbes says “It is true that God is king of all the earth; yet may He be king of a peculiar and chosen nation” (Hobbes 1956 82). Rousseau, however, disagrees and criticizes Hobbes: “He should have seen that the dominating spirit of Christianity was incompatible with his system” (Rousseau 222). Rousseau says that God or gods were in charge of nations in olden times. God was King and President. But, politics and religion don’t mingle very well. Rousseau believes in the separation of Church and state. Hobbes believes religion is a part of ruling a people. Rousseau sees religion as being the state in historical times. Not today. “At first men had no other kings but the gods, and no other govern

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Of course, Hobbes as wellas Rousseau were talking about Christian nations. Rousseau sees religion asbeing the state in historical times. RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT AS SEEN BY HOBBES AND ROUSSEAU Hobbes and Rousseau have very different views when it comes toreligion and politics. Rousseau says that "divine law" is different from Man's law. In other words,the government of the Jews was "appointed" and chosen by God. He condemns it. Its spiritis too favorable to tyranny for tyranny not to take advantage of it at alltimes" (Rousseau 225). To him, government is also moral authority. Not today. Rousseau sees thatmorality belongs in a church, not in a state house. But, hesees a contradiction there. Hobbes lived a hundred years earlier.He obviously went through English problems with Oliver Cromwell taking overthe crown and government. Hobbes says "It is true that God is king of all theearth; yet may He be king of a peculiar and chosen nation" (Hobbes 195682). "Thereason why Henry IV is said to have embraced the Roman religion should makeevery decent man, and above all any prince who knows how to reason, leaveit" (Rousseau 227). "It is impossible tolive in peace with those one believes to be damned" (Rousseau 226). Hobbes feels it is theChurch. Both men talk about Christian nations.Today, we think of nations as being Christian, or Jewish or Muslim, andthis type of classification can lead to intolerance. Kennedy, a Catholic, ran for President? It is who has the final authority to rule. He goes further, for example, when he states that "ifthe priest, be he high priest or any other, had his jurisdictionimmediately from God, then the king could not take it away from him"(Hobbes 1956 235). "Godcommanded him to choose seventy elders" (Hobbes 1956 235). Rousseau, however, disagrees and criticizes Hobbes: "He should haveseen that the dominating spirit of Christianity was incompatible with hissystem" (Rousseau 222). Rousseau was writing just as the French people gottired of their tyrannical monarchy. In fact, he sees Christianity as being open totyranny. Rousseau feels it is the right of the people to appoint or electthose who govern them, not the Church. Hobbes says that theword of God is the only real law that needs to be followed. 23 Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica (1956)Rousseau, J-J.: On the Social Contract, Chapter VIII "At first men had no otherkings but the gods, and no other government than a theocratic one"(Rousseau 22 ). But, today, the idea of God in chargeof a government and a nation is not easy to take. God was King and President. God belongs in a church,or temple or synagogue, not in the White house or the Capitol or anygovernment institution. Hobbes sees itdifferently, however, -- "the kingdom of God is a civil kingdom" (Hobbes1956 179). In his argument, Hobbes uses Moses and God. But, politics andreligion don't mingle very well. The ordinarypeople had no choice in those seventy people who were supposed to govern.It was a theocracy. In those days, each nation had its own God or gods.Government, therefore, was out of the hands of ordinary men. Rousseau says that God or gods were in charge ofnations in olden times. "Christianity preaches only servitude and dependence. He alsowrites: Now that there no longer is and never again can be an exclusive national religion, tolerance should be shown to all those that tolerate others, so long as their dogmas contain nothing contrary to the duties of a citizen (Rousseau 227).Of course, Rousseau is talking about Catholicism. Was this not thesame objection when John F. Peoplewere afraid that he would obligated to the Pope. Hobbes concludes that "a Commonwealth...ought also toexhibit to God but one worship" (Hobbes 1956 163). It is absolute. Both men are right,given the times in which they lived. Hobbes even says that"...as many Christian Kings now do, commit the government of their subjectsin matters of religion to the Pope" (Hobbes 1956 227). In other words, God's "law" cannot be changed by amonarch or civil government. Hobbesbelieves religion is a part of ruling a people. There is one major concern. Rousseau believes in the separation of Church and state. Works CitedHobbes, T.: Leviathan Great Books of the Western World, Vol. Rousseau describeswhat is happening today some 35 years or so earlier. The argument is more than who is the most powerful, a king or abishop. "For both Stateand Church are the same men" (Hobbes 1956 227).

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