Of The Religions of the Utopians
Account of religious diversity, toleration, priestly authority, and public worship among Utopians.
33 argumentative units
- 01Statement of religious diversity in Utopia
More establishes that Utopians practice multiple religions, with some worshipping celestial bodies or historical figures, but most worshipping a single supreme being called Mithras, though they disagree on the nature of that being.
- 02Gradual conversion from superstition to true religion
More claims that Utopians naturally progress away from various superstitions toward one best religion, though some reject this change due to believing punishments from heaven.
- 03Utopian receptiveness to Christianity
Upon hearing of Christ's doctrine and the martyrs' constancy, many Utopians eagerly adopted Christianity, possibly because it aligned with their communal values.
- 04Case of the newly baptized Christian preacher
A newly baptized Christian was punished not for disparaging other religions but for inflammatory preaching that incited sedition, illustrating Utopia's principle that religious belief itself should not be punished.
- 05Utopus's foundational religious tolerance law
Utopus established that all may freely pursue their religion through argument and persuasion but cannot use violence, threats, or reproach—and those violating this law face banishment or slavery.
- 06Rationale for religious freedom: preserving peace and truth
More explains that Utopus believed religious diversity might reflect God's different inspirations, that forced belief is futile, and that truth flourishes best when supported by argument alone without violence.
- 07Exception: prohibition of materialism and atheism
Despite general religious tolerance, Utopia forbids belief that souls die with bodies or that the world is governed by chance, viewing such doctrines as incompatible with human dignity and social order.
- 08Civil treatment but social exclusion of materialists
Utopians do not punish materialists but exclude them from honors and public office, treating them as unfit for society while allowing private theological debate to reform their views.
- 09Tolerated alternative view: immortal animal souls
A minority view holds that animal souls are immortal but inferior to human souls, which is neither condemned nor discouraged, illustrating Utopian tolerance of diverse metaphysical opinions.
- 10Religious interpretation of death and funeral practices
Utopians view reluctant death as a sign of a guilty conscience and fear, mourning such deaths; they celebrate cheerful deaths with hymns and honor the deceased by discussing their virtue and serene passage.
- 11Belief in presence and benevolent oversight of departed souls
Utopians believe the deceased remain present, observe the living, and maintain their affections and moral concern, which encourages virtue and restrains vice.
- 12Rejection of auguries and supernatural divination
Utopians dismiss auguries and superstitious divination but revere genuine miracles that demonstrate God's direct presence and power.
- 13Contemplation of God through nature as worship
More asserts that Utopians regard the contemplation of God's works and adoration of Him through them as acceptable worship.
- 14Two types of religiously motivated ascetics
Some Utopians pursue strict celibacy and abstinence from flesh believing this leads to greater happiness after death, while others adopt married life as a religious duty to propagate human nature, with Utopians considering the latter wiser.
- 15Selection and authority of priests
Utopia has only thirteen priests per town, chosen by secret suffrage for piety, with responsibilities for sacred worship and moral inspection but no punitive power except exclusion from worship.
- 16Exemption of priests from legal punishment
Priests are exempt from secular punishment for crimes, with their accountability left to God and conscience, justified by their small number and careful selection.
- 17Priestly role in moral education of youth
Priests oversee youth education, focusing on instilling correct moral opinions and character rather than letters, to foster virtue and social stability.
- 18Status of priestly wives and female priests
Wives of priests are considered the most extraordinary women; women themselves may rarely become priests, though only ancient widows are chosen.
- 19Priestly function during warfare: prayer and mediation
In battle, priests kneel in sacred vestments praying for peace and limited bloodshed; their presence calms violence and their intercession saves both allies and enemies, earning widespread religious respect.
- 20Religious festivals and calendar structure
Utopians mark the first and last days of month and year as festivals, naming them Cynemernes and Trapemernes, using lunar months and solar years.
- 21Temple design and inclusive worship space
Utopian temples are spacious and designed with moderate interior darkness to aid concentration and devotion, allowing all religious sects to worship together through common rites while each performs its particular ceremonies privately.
- 22Common divine name and image prohibition
All sects call the divine being Mithras regardless of their theological differences, and temples contain no images of God, allowing each believer to conceive of divinity according to their own conviction.
- 23Form and content of public worship and prayer
Public worship includes evening thanksgiving for past seasons and morning prayers for future success, with prayers composed so each individual may apply them to his own condition.
- 24Family confession and reconciliation before worship
Before festival worship, wives and children confess failures to husbands and parents and seek pardon, ensuring families approach worship with pure and serene minds free from discord.
- 25Gender-segregated seating and intergenerational arrangement
Men sit on the right and women on the left in temples, arranged by family units, with age and youth intermixed so younger members gain reverence for elders and maintain religious discipline.
- 26Opposition to animal sacrifice and preference for symbolic offerings
Utopians reject animal sacrifice as unsuitable to God who gave creatures life, instead offering incense and wax lights as harmless, pure worship that elevates the soul.
- 27Symbolic significance of priestly vestments
Priestly garments are composed artfully of colored bird plumes representing hidden mysteries conveyed in secret tradition, functioning as hieroglyphics of blessings and duties to God and neighbor.
- 28Role of music in liturgical expression
Utopian music, both vocal and instrumental, is uniquely adapted to express the passions and sentiments appropriate to each hymn, affecting hearts more deeply than European music.
- 29Content of communal prayer: gratitude and conditional submission
Communal prayers acknowledge God as author of the world and source of blessings, give thanks for their fortunate government and religion, and humbly ask God to correct them if mistaken or strengthen them if right.
- 30Prayer for swift passage to God
Utopians pray for quick passage to God after death rather than long prosperous life, wishing to be freed from delay in seeing Him, even through death itself.
- 31Raphael concludes his account
Raphael finishes his description of Utopian constitution with emphasis on the commonwealth's justice, equality, and stability achieved through eliminating property and discord.
- 32More's private reservations about Utopian practices
More acknowledges that many aspects of Utopia struck him as absurd, especially communal property and lack of money, but he refrains from voicing criticism out of politeness and defers full discussion.
- 33More's final mixed assessment
While acknowledging Raphael as learned and well-traveled, More admits he cannot fully agree with all he has heard but wishes rather than hopes for many Utopian practices to be adopted in Europe.