Christianity Unveiled, or Examination of the Principles and Effects of the Christian Religion (Le christianisme dévoilé, ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion chrétienne) is an anti-Christian book attributed to Baron d'Holbach, probably published in 1766 under a pseudonym in Nancy.
In his first religiously critical work, Holbach points out aspects of the Christian faith that he considers contradictory, and particularly criticizes the moral and political influence of the Christian religion and its clergy in harsh terms. The assertions presented find numerous parallels in Holbach's later works, yet contain only latent atheistic statements and primarily attack Christianity in contrast to religion in general.
Unlike earlier critical publications on religion, Le christianisme dévoilé does not contain an analysis of the historical origin of religions or the project of a deistic alternative religion, but openly presents itself as an anti-Christian propaganda script. The book provoked lively reactions in philosophical-Enlightenment circles and was immediately confiscated by the French authorities after its publication.
Authorship Le christianisme dévoilé was published under the name "the late M. Boulanger". Contemporaries doubted the authorship of Nicolas Antoine Boulanger, known for his posthumously published philosophical-historical works, and speculated about the true author. For example, Voltaire wrote in 1766 in a letter to the materialist Helvétius:
De qui est cet ouvrage attribué à Bolingbroke, à Boulanger, à Fréret ? Eh mes amis ! qu’importe l’auteur de l’ouvrage ?Letter dated October 27, 1766 (No. 12738 in Theodore Besterman, Voltaire's general correspondence. Institut et Musée Voltaire, Geneva 1953–1965). Cited in Vercruysse (1971), 1756 Whose work might this be, attributed to Bolingbroke, Boulanger, or Fréret? My friends, what does it matter who the author of the work is?
Voltaire, who also frequently used pseudonyms, was not exempt from these suspicions. In his 1768 correspondence, he names his recently deceased friend Étienne Noël Damilaville (1723–1768) as the author – likely to divert suspicion from himself.Letters dated December 20 to Villevieille (Besterman No. 14412) and December 26 to Mme Du Deffand (Besterman No. 14422). Cited in Vercruysse (1971), 1756
The attribution to Boulanger is most likely due to the similarity of the title to his work L’antiquité dévoilée. Since the end of the 18th century, Le christianisme dévoilé has been included in several editions of Boulanger's works.Vercruysse (1971), 1756 The hypothesis of Damilaville as the author has also been occasionally expressed. The writer and critic Jean-François de La Harpe reported that Damilaville had partly dictated the text from Diderot. Damilaville had stored the books and sold them for 10 Écus per copy.Jean-François de La Harpe: Le Lycée, ou cours de littérature, Vol. 14, pp. 316-317 (1827 edition online at Google Books)
The librarian and bibliographer Antoine-Alexandre Barbier contradicts La Harpe's statements and asserts Holbach as the author.Antoine-Alexandre Barbier: Examen de plusieurs assertions hasardées par J. F. Laharpe dans sa Philosophie du 18e siècle, Magasin encyclopédique 1805, III: 5–26 (Online at Archive.org) According to Barbier, the manuscript was entrusted to Jean-François de Saint-Lambert, who had it printed by the publisher Le Clerc in Nancy. Indiscretion by the publisher almost caused trouble for the book's author and its courier. From Nancy, the copies reached Ferney, where Voltaire had the first two copies sent to Damilaville. Officers then brought the books en masse to Paris.
Before Barbier, Sylvain Maréchal attributed the work to Holbach in his Dictionnaire des athées anciens et modernes.Sylvain Maréchal: Dictionnaire des athées anciens et modernes, p. 313. Paris 1799 (1833 edition online at Gallica). Cited in Vercruysse (1971), 1756 Holbach's authorship was confirmed two decades later by André Morellet.André Morellet: Mémoires de l’abbé Morellet, de l’Académie française, sur le dix-huitième siècle et sur la Révolution, Vol. 1, p. 133. Ladvocat, Paris 1821 (Online at Google Books).
A study of Holbach's characteristic stylistic features by Rudolf Besthorn revealed clear correspondences. The repetitions typical for Holbach and references to previous contexts are present, albeit not as extensively as in his 1770 published Système de la nature (System of Nature).Besthorn (1969), p. 81 The very similar thematic relationships to Holbach's verified works, which go as far as verbatim matches, confirm his authorship and rule out Boulanger, Voltaire, and Damilaville as authors from a stylistic and content perspective.Besthorn (1969), p. 91 Co-authorship by Diderot in the work cannot be proven. However, indirect statements by Diderot from 1762 suggest that Diderot and Helvétius were aware of these and other writings of Holbach's, and supported the author with advice.Naumann (1964), p. 175
Dating The earliest known edition of Le christianisme dévoilé states 1756 as the year of publication on the title page. This date is either incorrect or fabricated for the purpose of deception, as Nicolas-Antoine Boulanger, named as the deceased author, actually died three years later. The preface to the work is dated "May 4, 1758." Additionally, the book cites the work Recherches sur l’origine du despotisme oriental, which was not published until 1761.Naumann (1964), pp. 155 f.
Since the first print of the work does not reference any events after 1761, it is reasonable to date the publication of the work to this year. This assumption coincides with the date given in Barbier's Dictionnaire des ouvrages anonymes et pseudonymes.Antoine-Alexandre Barbier: Dictionnaire des ouvrages anonymes et pseudonymes, Vol. 1, pp. 594 f. Paris 1872–1879. Cited in Naumann (1964), p. 156 However, a first publication in the year 1766 is more likely, as only from this point onwards does the work suddenly receive frequent mention in philosophical correspondence and other documents.Naumann (1964); Vercruysse (1971) The later date is also supported by the fact that in the title page of a copy from the Bibliothèque nationale, the date of MDCCLVI (1756) was corrected to MDCCLXVI (1766) by the later addition of an “X” (10).Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France D² 2859; cf. Vercruysse (1971), 1756 An examination of the earliest known edition also reveals that the watermarks on the paper are dated 1762 or 1763.
The manuscript could not have been completed before 1762, as Boulanger's cited work, Recherches sur l’origine du despotisme oriental, is first mentioned in January 1762. On the other hand, it is noticeable that Boulanger's other remaining work, L’antiquité dévoilée, is not mentioned at all. This work was announced as being in print in November 1765. It can be concluded that the manuscript of Le christianisme dévoilé was completed between 1762 and the end of 1765 and published in 1766.Naumann (1964), p. 160
Structure The work begins with a preface in the form of a response to a supposed letter from a reader, which already anticipates the main points of the work. Following the introduction on the necessity of subjecting religion to critical examination, the first two chapters provide an overview of the history of Judaism and Christianity. This is followed by a detailed treatment and criticism of the tenets of Christianity. Holbach then elaborately discusses Christian morality; the chapter on Christian virtues is the longest in the entire work. After a chapter on religious duties and actions, there is a presentation of the political effects of religion and the priesthood. The concluding remarks summarize the core ideas of the text and discuss, in particular, the tasks of the enlightened ruler.
Holbach brings forth a wide array of diverse objections to Christianity in his text.Kellerwessel (2009), p. 181 His arguments from the realm of practical philosophy include moral concerns about the God of the Bible, action theoretical considerations, objections to Christian morality and virtues, as well as some critical arguments from the field of political philosophy. From the standpoint of theoretical philosophy, Holbach criticizes the flawed terminology of Christian faith regarding the alleged properties of God and also presents language philosophical and epistemological considerations.
Although the book was aimed at an averagely educated readership, which was to be quickly convinced, Holbach cited numerous sources in his footnotes. In addition to works of historiography, various works critical of religion are quoted, including those by Jean Meslier, Peter Annet (1693–1769), Thomas Woolston (1668–1733), and Anthony Collins. The content presented in Le christianisme dévoilé is largely traceable in other contemporary writings. What is new is the compilation in the form of a potent overall presentation, which disregards tactical political considerations.Naumann (1964), p. 176
+ Chapter Overview Chapter 1 Introduction. De la nécessité d’examiner sa religion, et des obstacles que l’on rencontre dans cet examen.Titles of the chapters and book quotes from Jean Pierre Jackson (Ed.): Paul-Henri Thiry d’Holbach: Œuvres philosophiques, Vol. 1. Alive, Paris 1998, ISBN 2-911737-07-5. Own translations.Introduction. On the necessity of examining one's religion, and the obstacles encountered in this examination. Chapter 2Histoire abrégée du peuple juif.A brief history of the Jewish people. Chapter 3Histoire abrégée du christianisme.A brief history of Christianity. Chapter 4De la mythologie chrétienne, ou des idées que le christianisme nous donne de Dieu et de sa conduite.On Christian mythology, or the ideas Christianity gives us about God and His conduct. Chapter 5De la révélation.On revelation. Chapter 6Des preuves de la religion chrétienne; des miracles; des prophéties; des martyrs.On the proofs of the Christian religion; miracles; prophecies; martyrs. Chapter 7Des mystères de la religion chrétienne.On the mysteries of the Christian religion. Chapter 8Autres mystères et dogmes du christianisme.Other mysteries and dogmas of Christianity. Chapter 9Des rites, des cérémonies mystérieuses, ou de la théurgie des chrétiens.On the rites and mysterious ceremonies, or the Theurgy of Christians. Chapter 10Des livres sacrés des chrétiens.On the sacred books of Christians. Chapter 11De la morale chrétienne.On Christian morality. Chapter 12Des vertus chrétiennes.On Christian virtues. Chapter 13Des pratiques et des devoirs de la religion chrétienne.On the practices and duties of the Christian religion. Chapter 14Des effets politiques de la religion chrétienne.On the political effects of the Christian religion. Chapter 15De l’église, ou du sacerdoce des chrétiens.On the church, or the priesthood of Christians. Chapter 16Conclusion.Conclusion.
Content Preface and Introduction In the preface, Holbach responds to the supposed letter of a reader who, on one hand, agrees with the criticism of Christian beliefs, but on the other hand, argues that the common people need a religion, as otherwise, nothing would prevent them from committing crimes. Holbach counters that it is not religion, but laws that restrain the people, and thus questions the critic whether he belongs to those "faint-hearted thinkers" who "believe that truth can be harmful".« ces penseurs pusillanimes qui croient que la vérité soit capable de nuire » Everything suggests that the preface is addressed to Voltaire, aiming to preemptively counter his predictable objections to the book's content.Naumann (1964), p. 168