3 Floréal
An CCXXXIV
Supreme Being
The French Revolution shook not only the throne but also the altars. The people desecrated the churches. Priests who did not wish to swear an oath to the civil constitution fled the country. Atheistic currents gained influence. Robespierre opposed this radical de-Christianization. He did not want a godless state, but a faith close to nature, based on virtue and morality – devout and republican. With success: the law of 7 May 1794 recognized the immortality of the soul and established a new state religion. The Festival of the Supreme Being on the Champ de Mars on 8 June 1794 was the high point of the new cult. It took place in splendid weather. The people were in a cheerful and hopeful mood. Two days later, the Great Terror began.
1789 - 1801
- November 2, 1789 · The National Assembly decrees the nationalization of Church property. The Church is thereby effectively expropriated.
- November 27, 1790 · Priests are required to swear an oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. Many clergymen refuse the oath and thereby make themselves enemies of the Revolution.
- September 1792 · During the September Massacres, non-juring priests are also killed.
- November 10, 1793 ·
Festival of Reason
in the former church of Notre-Dame in Paris. Robespierre rejects this anti-religious atheist movement. He seeks to establish a natural, republican religion. - May 7, 1794 · On Robespierre’s proposal, the National Convention recognizes the existence of the Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.
- June 8, 1794 · Festival of the Supreme Being on the Champ de Mars in Paris (20 Prairial Year II). Peak of the new state religion.
- July 28, 1794 · Execution of Robespierre. The Cult of the Supreme Being thereby loses its main support.
- August 22, 1795 · The Constitution of Year III is proclaimed
in the name of the Supreme Being
(Art. 1). - 1797 · Director La Révellière-Lépeaux attempts to introduce Theophilanthropy (a deistic moral doctrine) as a substitute for Catholicism. Celebrations are held in Parisian churches but attract limited support.
- October 4, 1801 · Under the Consulate, Theophilanthropic assemblies in public buildings are banned.
Quotes
The French people acknowledge the existence of the Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.
Article 1 of the decree of 18 Floréal Year II (7 May 1794).
Yes, Robespierre, there truly is a Supreme Being.
Remark attributed to a sans-culotte when Robespierre, seriously wounded, was at the Committee of Public Safety during the night of 9–10 Thermidor Year II (27/28 July 1794).
To found his religion, Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected. You should have tried to do as much.
Talleyrand to La Révellière-Lépeaux, May 1797.
Le Moniteur
Nonidi, 19 Floréal, l'an 2 de la République, une et indivisible
(May 8, 1794)
The Festival of the Supreme Being in Paris, 20 Prairial II
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