Jeremy Bentham on Organised Religion

Bentham’s attack on organised religion was principally an the ‘Church-of-Englandist’ ruling few, and, in particular, ecclesiastical establishment. This article will examine argument that establishment fostered and exploited religious belief, as well hopes fears associated with popular religiosity, pursuit of ‘sinister interest’. Bentham recognised a senior clergy extorted enormous sums money from population, instituted fraudulent education system subjugated children committed to its charge, took advantage corrupt alliance Church state order advance protect worldly power riches. discuss proposals sweep away mischiefs done by religion, both morality good government, argue hostility towards did not prevent him recommending priests be stripped their power, place exorbitant wealth gradually painlessly possible. It also explain why thought liberating belief coercive control self-serving class men would more conducive personal happiness than prohibiting altogether.