Religion is a bit of a dicey subject for Rousseau. At the beginning of The Confessions, Rousseau switches religion as frequently as one might switch outfits—which one looks better on him today? When Rousseau starts to take a stronger stance on religion, though, the backlash he experiences threatens to ruin his life. His controversial writings take up the theme of religion explicitly and prompt the Paris courts to prosecute him for blasphemy. So tell us, Rousseau: how do you really feel about religion?
Questions About Religion
- Does Rousseau identify with a religion by the end of the book? How can you tell?
- Why does Rousseau consider converting?
- How does Rousseau associate religion with morals?
Chew on This
Although Rousseau feels ambiguous about institutionalized religion, he often describes religious experiences, so he must be a believer.
Rousseau respects others' adherence to religion, even if he doesn't maintain consistent religious beliefs himself.