Secularism

Secularism emerged during the French Revolution as a significant influence on the political and social landscape. The revolutionaries sought to diminish the power and influence of the Catholic Church, which had long been intertwined with the monarchy and held considerable sway over French society. This drive for secularism culminated in policies and events designed to curtail ecclesiastical authority.

One of the early steps towards secularism was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, enacted on 12 July 1790. This legislation fundamentally restructured the Church in France, declaring that clergy would be elected by the people and paid by the state, thus effectively nationalizing the Church. By making priests and bishops civil servants, the revolutionaries aimed to bring religious institutions under state control and reduce the Vatican's influence. The reorganization led to a significant schism within the Church, as many clergy refused to swear allegiance to the new constitution, resulting in a division between 'constitutional priests' and 'non-juring clergy'.

The drive for secularism extended beyond legislation. On 10 November 1793, the revolutionaries inaugurated the Cult of Reason, an atheistic belief system intended to replace Christianity. This event marked the Festival of Reason, held in Notre-Dame Cathedral (renamed the Temple of Reason during the period). Prominent revolutionary figures, including Jacques Hébert and Pierre-Gaspard Chaumette, endorsed the cult as a means to establish a rational, human-centered approach to belief. However, the Cult of Reason faced opposition and was eventually replaced by the Cult of the Supreme Being in 1794, which was promoted by Maximilien Robespierre. While still deistic, this latter cult retained a focus on reason and rejected traditional Christianity.

The revolutionary calendar, introduced in October 1793, further exemplified secularist endeavors. This new calendar aimed to eradicate Christian influences by renaming months, abolishing Sunday worship, and establishing a ten-day week (décade) with the tenth day designated as a day of rest. The implementation of this calendar was part of a broader effort to de-Christianize social and public life, though it proved unpopular and was eventually abandoned in 1806 (under Napoleon Bonaparte).

Additionally, property seizures played a crucial role in the secularization process. The National Assembly decided to nationalize Church lands on 2 November 1789. This move was intended to alleviate the financial crisis plaguing France and symbolized the transfer of power from ecclesiastical to civil authorities. These properties, known as biens nationaux, were sold off, leading to significant changes in land ownership and wealth distribution.

The policies and actions of the revolutionaries reveal a concerted effort to dismantle the pre-existing Church-state relationship and instill secular principles within French society. While these measures were met with varying degrees of resistance and success, they significantly altered the religious and cultural landscape of France.

• The French Revolution, which began in 1789, marked a significant shift towards secularism in France, leading to the establishment of a separation between church and state.
• One of the most radical steps was the introduction of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy in 1790, which aimed to reduce the Catholic Church's power by making priests employees of the state.
• During the Revolution, the Catholic Church's properties were nationalized and sold off, a move that struck at the heart of its influence and wealth, contributing to the rise of a secular state.
• In 1793, the revolutionary government introduced a new calendar that eliminated religious references, effectively erasing Sunday and replacing it with days dedicated to reason and nature, reflecting their secular ideals.
• The Cult of Reason (Culte de la Raison) was established during the Revolution as a state-sponsored secular religion, promoting Enlightenment ideals while attempting to replace traditional worship.
• Despite the Revolution's commitment to secularism, the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte saw a restoration of relations with the Catholic Church through the Concordat of 1801, which recognized Catholicism as the religion of the majority while maintaining the state's authority over ecclesiastical matters.