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fferent have this inconvenience； that they make those things indifferent which are absolutely necessary。
The people of Formosa believe＇11＇ that there is a kind of hell； but it is to punish those who at certain seasons have not gone naked； who have dressed in calico and not in silk； who have presumed to look for oysters； or who have undertaken any business without consulting the song of birds； while drunkenness and debauchery are not regarded as crimes。 They believe even that the debauches of their children are agreeable to their gods。
When religion absolves the mind by a thing merely accidental； it loses its greatest influence on mankind。 The people of India believe that the waters of the Ganges have a sanctifying virtue。＇12＇ Those who die on its banks are imagined to be exempted from the torments of the other life； and to be entitled to dwell in a region full of delights； and for this reason the ashes of the dead are sent from the most distant places to be thrown into this river。 Little then does it signify whether they had lived virtuously or not； so they be but thrown into the Ganges。
The idea of a place of rewards has a necessary connection with the idea of the abodes of misery； and when they hope for the former without fearing the latter； the civil laws have no longer any influence。 Men who think themselves sure of the rewards of the other life are above the power of the legislator； they look upon death with too much contempt。 How shall the man be restrained by laws who believes that the greatest pain the magistrate can inflict will end in a moment to begin his happiness？
15。 How false Religions are sometimes corrected by the Civil Laws。 Simplicity； superstition； or a respect for antiquity have sometimes established mysteries or ceremonies shocking to modesty： of this the world has furnished numerous examples。 Aristotle says＇13＇ that in this case the law permits the fathers of families to repair to the temple to celebrate these mysteries for their wives and children。 How admirable the civil law which in spite of religion preserves the manners untainted！
Augustus＇14＇ excluded the youth of either sex from assisting at any nocturnal ceremony； unless accompanied by a more aged relative； and when he revived the Lupercalia；＇15＇ he would not allow the young men to run naked。
16。 How the Laws of Religion correct the Inconveniences of a political Constitution。 On the other hand； religion may support a state when the laws themselves are incapable of doing it。
Thus when a kingdom is frequently agitated by civil wars； religion may do much by obliging one part of the state to remain always quiet。 Among the Greeks； the Eleans； as priests of Apollo； lived always in peace。 In Japan；＇16＇ the city of Meaco enjoys a constant peace； as being a holy city。 Religion supports this regulation； and that empire； which seems to be alone upon earth； and which neither has nor will have any dependence on foreigners； has always in its own bosom a trade which war cannot ruin。
In kingdoms where wars are not entered upon by a general consent； and where the laws have not pointed out any means either of terminating or preventing them； religion establishes times of peace； or cessation from hostilities； that the people may be able to sow their corn and perform those other labours which are absolutely necessary for the subsistence of the state。
Every year all hostility ceases between the Arabian tribes for four months： the least disturbance would then be an impiety。＇17＇ In former times； when every lord in France declared war or peace； religion granted a truce； which was to take place at certain seasons。
17。 The same Subject continued。 When a state has many causes for hatred； religion ought to produce many ways of reconciliation。 The Arabs； a people addicted to robbery； are frequently guilty of doing injury and injustice。 Mahomet enacted this law：＇18＇ 〃If any one forgives the blood of his brother；＇19＇ he may pursue the malefactor for damages and interest； but he who shall injure the wicked； after having received satisfaction； shall； in the day of judgment； suffer the most grievous torments。〃
The Germans inherited the hatred and enmity of their near relatives： but these were not eternal。 Homicide was expiated by giving a certain number of cattle； and all the family received satisfaction： a thing extremely useful； says Tacitus； because enmities are most dangerous among a free people。＇20＇ I believe； indeed； that their ministers of religion； who were held by them in so much credit； were concerned in these reconciliations。
Among the inhabitants of Malacca；＇21＇ where no form of reconciliation is established； he who has committed murder； certain of being assassinated by the relatives or friends of the deceased； abandons himself to fury； and wounds or kills all he meets。
18。 How the Laws of Religion have the Effect of Civil Laws。 The first Greeks were small nations； frequently dispersed； pirates at sea； unjust on land； without government and without laws。 The mighty actions of Hercules and Theseus let us see the state of that rising people。 What could religion do more to inspire them with horror against murder？ It declared that the man who had been murdered was enraged against the assassin； that he would possess his mind with terror and trouble； and oblige him to yield to him the places he had frequented when alive。＇22＇ They could not touch the criminal； nor converse with him； without being defiled：＇23＇ the murderer was to be expelled from the city； and an expiation made for the crime。＇24＇
19。 That it is not so much the Truth or Falsity of a Doctrine which renders it useful or pernicious to Men in civil Government； as the Use or Abuse of it。 The most true and holy doctrines may be attended with the very worst consequences when they are not connected with the principles of society： and on the contrary； doctrines the most false may be attended with excellent consequences when contrived so as to be connected with these principles。
The religion of Confucius disowns the immortality of the soul： and the sect of Zeno did not believe it。 These two sects have drawn from their bad principles consequences； not just indeed； but most admirable as to their influence on society。 Those of the religion of Tao； and of Foe；＇25＇ believe the immortality of the soul； but from this sacred doctrine they draw the most frightful consequences。
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul falsely understood has； almost in every part of the globe and in every age； engaged women； slaves； subjects； friends； to murder themselves； that they might go and serve in the other world the object of their respect or love in this。 Thus it was in the West Indies； thus it was among the Danes；＇26＇ thus it is at present in Japan；＇27＇ in Macassar；＇28＇ and many other places。
These customs do not so directly proceed from the doctrine of the immortality of the soul as from that of the resurrection of the body； whence they have drawn this consequence； that after death the same individual will have the same wants； the same sentiments； the same passions。 In this point of view； the doctrine of the immortality of the soul has a prodigious effect on mankind； because the idea of o