Thus, the idea of God can never enter the human mind. In supposition
of a life, in which man would be much more enlightened, than in this,
the idea of the infinity of God would ever remain the same distance
from his finite mind. Thus the idea of God will be no more clear in
the future, than in the present life. Thus, intelligences, superior
to man, can have no more complete ideas of God, than man, who has not
the least conception of him in his present life.


9. How has it been possible to persuade reasonable beings, that
the thing, most impossible to comprehend, was most essential to them?
It is because they have been greatly terrified; because, when they fear,
they cease to reason; because, they have been taught to mistrust their
own understanding; because, when the brain is troubled, they believe
every thing, and examine nothing.


10. Ignorance and fear are the two hinges of all religion. The
uncertainty in which man finds himself in relation to his God, is
precisely the motive that attaches him to his religion. Man is
fearful in the dark--in moral, as well as physical darkness. His
fear becomes habitual, and habit makes it natural; he would think
that he wanted something, if he had nothing to fear.


11. He, who from infancy has habituated himself to tremble when
he hears pronounced certain words, requires those words and needs
to tremble. He is therefore more disposed to listen to one, who
entertains him in his fears, than to one, who dissuades him from them.
The superstitious man wishes to fear; his imagination demands it;