Napoleon and atheism?

Question

Napoleon was an atheist but he did not ban religion believing that it did society good.So why the 'it's good for you and not good for me attitude'?

Diana .is there such a thing as a 'good dictator'?

Garwy if my pastor had an account of Y/A he wouldn't be hiding his Q&As.

Answer 1

Because we are constantly reminded by well meaning Christians that they believe that their morals and behavior come from God. And that they cannot understand what stops atheists from running a muck pillaging, raping and murdering.

That type of reasoning, leads me to believe that religion is necessary for some people to maintain civilized behavior.

Answer 2

When Napoleon came to power religion was officially marginalized. The French Republic was in conflict with the catholic church and the pope, and the countryside was heavily divided on this issue. Napoleon made peace with the pope, and thus restored order in the countryside. I think this was most of his motivation for not opposing christianity too openly.

Answer 3

He doesn't sound like an atheist to me

The nature of Napoleon's personal religious faith has come to be a frequent topic of debate. Not long after Napoleon’s death, in a lecture before Oxford University, Henry Parry Liddon asserted that Napoleon, while in exile on St. Helena, compared himself unfavorably to Jesus Christ. According to Liddon's sources, Napoleon pointed out to Count Montholon that while he and others such as "Alexander, Caesar [and] Charlemagne" founded vast empires, their achievements relied on force, while Jesus "founded his empire on love." After further discourse about the wonders of Christ and his legacy, Napoleon then reputedly said, "This it is which proves to me quite convincingly the Divinity of Jesus Christ."[

Answer 4

Are we sure that Napoleon was an atheist? I know he said a few things about religion that could be viewed as negative in a Hobbesian sense, but I think that could probably be said of numerous politicians. He did ask Laplace where in his algebra and planetary astronomy he had left room for God, and Laplace famously said "Sire, I have no need of that hypothesis."

Answer 5

I don't believe in banning religion. However, I do believe in preserving the rights of those who do not want to be a part of religion or want to be a part of a different religion. That would mean that the government cannot be involved in promoting or denying religion. It would have to be religious neutral.

It is a person's choice to be an atheist. If that upsets you then maybe you are not happy with your choice. If you see others doing differently than you and you get angry then maybe you should wonder why you are angry and not why someone chose differently than you.

Answer 6

when pierre-simon laplace presented napoleon with a copy of his classical work on astrophysics 'la mécanique célestiale' napoleon complained that he had read the book cover to cover and it made no mention of god.

laplace made a rejoinder which is usually translated as: "i found i had no need of that hypothesis".

laplace was an atheist, napoleon most certainly was not.

this is one of the most famous stories in the whole of scientific literature. so where did you get the idea that napoleon was an atheist?

from your pastor perhaps?

Answer 7

I think religion *is* good for some people, and I'll explain who I mean. The people that say, "You just don't want to believe in god so you can do whatever you want. If I didn't have Jesus, I'd go around raping and murdering." Those people (who are very, very few) *need* religion. I don't want that guy running loose.

Answer 8

Umm... I don't know that any atheist would want to "ban religion" simply because we don't agree.

On the contrary, in the USA, I would preserve the Constitution which includes that you can legally believe whatever you wish and the government will not tell you different.

Answer 9

Do you mean that Napoleon thought that religion did him some good?

Answer 10

This shows that Napoleon was a leader who understood & respected his people.