French Revolution
Compare and contrast the revolutionaries’ approach toward the Catholic Church in the republican phase of Revolution (as expressed in the “The Calendar”) with the approach of Napoleon in his Concordat with the Catholic Church (“Making Peace with the Church.”) What do they tell us about the religious policies of these two phases of the French Revolution?
‘The Calendar’ phase of the revolution was de-Christianizing in nature while ‘Making Peace with the Church’ revolution promoted essence of Christianity in its adoption and implementation. The ‘Calendar’ revolution adopted ten days instead of the normal seven days associated with Christianity. The revolution encouraged approval of the tenth day as the day dedicated for rest. This is de-Christianizing because according to the holy book, God rested on the seventh day. The seventh day rest is in relation to the doctrines of Christianity. ‘Making Peace with the Church’ promoted Christianity since the church performs its beliefs after the oath of allegiance to the state (Desan, 2011).
It is also evident that the two phases of revolution undermined the office the Creator. The Calendar revolution deviated from the seven days to ten days while ‘Making peace with the Church’ withdrew allegiance to the Creator in favor of the state. The state had the opportunity to control the church. This is through appointing the Bishops and Archbishops to lead the church. In the context of Christianity, it is the role of the Creator to choose the leader of the church. The calendar revolution phase encouraged elimination of Christianity from the Republican government of France while ‘Making peace with the Church’ was an aim to encourage the existence of the Church within the state (Desan, 2011).
‘The Calendar’ revolution phase indicate that religious policies were deemed useless in relation to the development of the society. This led to attempts of its elimination from the Republican government of France. The policies of religion during this moment were suspicious according to the authority. This made the state and relevant authority de-Christianize the seven days to ten days thus eliminating the normal Sunday as the rest-day. ‘Making Peace with the Church’ revolution phase illustrates the importance of religious policies to the development of the state. This is in relation to harmonious existence within the state. Despite not being religious in nature, Napoleon realizes the importance of religious policies thus attempt to return Christianity to the state. This is an expression trust in the religious polices to enhance harmony within the society. The two phases of revolution illustrate unique perspectives of the religious policies: harmful and beneficial.
Reference
Desan, S. (2011). Internationalizing the French Revolution. French Politics, Culture & Society, 29(2), 137-160. doi:10.3167/fpcs.2011.290210
