Machiavelli’s Critique of Religion

Abstract

Machiavelli’s praises of the political utility of religion in general, of the pagan religion, and of a patriotic interpretation of Christianity enable him to criticize the Church and actually existing Christianity and obscure his critique of religion in general and his praise of radical human self-reliance. He understands political success and failure, including those of religious leaders, in terms of fortune and virtue rather than divine punishment and grace. He considers not only the political utility of religion but also its claim to truth and calls into question the Christian or biblical claims that human nature has changed, that men can be born again, that the world was created by God, that miracles inexplicable by human reason occur, and that religions are revealed by God rather than ordered by human founders.

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