Machiavelli’s Views on Religion
Machiavelli’s attitude towards religion was purely utilitarian. He believed that religion should occupy a prominent place in the State, not on the ground of its truth but as a social cement.
Machiavelli’s main concern was that religion should not be prior to the nation. He held the Church responsible for the decline of Italy in 16th century. He argued that the Church was not powerful enough to unite Italy yet strong enough to prevent any other power from doing it.
Machiavelli was anti-Church and anti-clergy, but not anti-religion. He considered religion as necessary not only for man’s social life but also for the health and prosperity of the State. He suggested that religion be used for expanding national interest. For Machiavelli, religion was good only if it produced order, peace, fortune, and success.
Machiavelli criticised Christianity. According to him, Christianity made men weak and submissive, and glorified qualities such as renunciation, humility, and patience in the face of injustice. However, Machiavelli argued, the 16th century Italy demanded political and military virtues such as courage, ambition, and self-assertiveness. Religion should foster these political and military virtues.
Machiavelli advised the Prince to seem to be religious in front of people, even if he is personally irreligious or had very little faith in religion. The Prince can use religion to foster political and military virtues among citizens and unite people towards realising national interest.
Machiavelli, unlike philosophers before him, separated religion from politics and subjugated it to national interest. In this sense, he was the first political thinker who secularised out thought, life, and politics.
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