Spinoza’s greatest works bring to question beliefs that people hold dear. His writings state that superstition comes about when humans are in great distress. When a person believes that powers more significant than he causes his misfortunes, they become fearful and tend to appease 'higher powers'.
Unfortunately, unscrupulous people can use superstition to govern their less fortunate counterparts. They do this by putting themselves into authority figures. They are viewed with reverence by others who are likely to give up their comforts and needs to satisfy their endless greed. They then use their positions of influence to rebuke publicly all those who are against them.
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Spinoza means that religion may make its adherents act in a rigid manner that restricts freedom of thought. Enslaved men of faith may see those that do not adhere to or believe in their religions as enemies. Religion enslaves its followers to their ideals and makes free men fall bondage to make-believe credence.
Pomp and ceremony build up superstition in that people only stick to the thing that holds glamour. Spinoza holds this notion as a passing fancy, a temporary belief for the average human being. If a particular superstition holds attraction like no other, it is bound to keep its followers and attract more. Hence, its adherents do not doubt which the superior practice is.
Social disorder is a common occurrence that occurs due to superstition. Those who have a contrary opinion to that of religious fanatics are seen as senseless. There is very little accommodation, if any, to anybody who does not view their belief with reverence. Opponents are met with threats to violence or actual violence if they voice their opinion.
Religion and superstition are two different entities. Spinoza believes that irrationality is an unfounded claim that holds the attention of a person or people for a time. It contains a promise of a better life for a people besot by fear. Religion is a more organized and defined model of superstition. It offers a more stable form of authoritative leaders with more defined rituals that gives a sense of belonging to those who seek it.
In Spinoza’s writings, the tenets of true religion are two. The first is that true religion should not have compensatory rewards from its followers. The other is that true religion should fill its believers with compassion for the non-believers. It should make its believers wholesome and have a model lifestyle that serves as an inspiration.
The roles of religion and superstition in society are to lead its people into a singular way of thinking. He states that it gives men a protective covering from their fears and disappointments. It gives them a sense of belonging and the promise of a better future only if they adhere to its teachings. It aims to make people pious and peaceful, but in so doing may take away their freedom.
Spinoza says that freedom of expression means that statesmen and stateswomen are free to worship in whatever manner they desire. He says that one should not be restricted by particular people on how their choices to worship.
About Spinoza’s writings, the freedom of expression strengthens a nation. People should be free to express their beliefs without fear of discrimination or bias. It contributes to the peace of a state as a person can go about their daily business in order.
A state has a critical role in the institution of religion. It should establish laws that protect its people’s freedom of worship. It should recognize that the stability of a nation depends on the freedom of expression that its people have. Aptly put, a state should be the custodian of its people’s freedom.
