There is no official state religion in Utopia. People are allowed freedom of belief, with the consequence that there is a variety of religious sects or, as we should say, denominations. For example, some of their people worship the sun, some the moon, and some famous men of virtue. The majority, however, believe in one omnipotent deity whom they call Mithras. Gradually the population is discarding the superstitions that formerly were in general acceptance. In fact, they might by now have been entirely shaken off if it had not been for some unlucky accidents. When certain mishaps occurred to some of those who were arguing against those primitive beliefs, it caused the simple folk to imagine that the victims were being punished for denying their old beliefs.
When the Utopians were introduced to the teachings of Christ, many were deeply impressed and accepted the new doctrine. Hythloday and his companions performed baptismal rites for the converts, but since there was no ordained priest among them, they were unable to perform the other sacraments.
King Utopus, the wise founder of their kingdom, had decreed that every man should be allowed to adopt whatever religion he chose. Furthermore, a man was to be allowed to try to persuade others to adopt his religion provided that he presented his arguments calmly and temperately. The only limit to religious freedom was that disbelief in the immortality of the human soul or in a governing power in the universe was cause for disgrace. Atheists were scorned by the public and were not permitted to hold any public office. It is supposed that with such attitudes those persons would have no principles to deter them from crime.
As they believe in immortality, they believe that good people will live in an infinitely happy state in the afterlife. They then can face death with equanimity. Those who show dread at the approach of death are suspected of a knowledge of guilt and are mourned and prayed for after their death. For those whose dying hours are cheerful, they rejoice and sing hymns after death, being convinced that the soul of the dead person is watching them at the funeral observances.
They do not take any stock in auguries and prognostications, but they accept miracles readily as evidence of the presence of God.
A number of their citizens, motivated by religious zeal, dedicate their lives to service through hard labor in the belief that their good deeds will insure them happiness after death. They may devote themselves either to strenuous physical occupations or to service to their fellow men, such as visiting and waiting on the sick and ministering to the needy.
These religious devotees fall into two classes. One group is dedicated to an ascetic pattern of living, practicing chastity and observing a diet without meat. The other type, though they marry and eat meat, engage diligently in heavy labor. Among the Utopians, the latter group is the more admired, though the former group is regarded as holier. These groups of devoted workers resemble the religious orders—the monks, nuns, and friars of Christian Europe, though nothing is said to indicate that they take vows or are banded in any formal organization.
Their priests are men of eminent piety. There are 13 in each city, one for each temple, who are chosen by the people in secret elections and are then consecrated by the college of priests. Their function is to admonish and exhort those who are guilty of misdemeanors. Although the meting out of punishment is the function of the Prince and the Senate, the priest is empowered to exclude a culprit from worship, a penalty that is greatly dreaded. Priests also serve in the instruction of the young, both in teaching their letters and in forming their manners.
The wives of the priests are among the most remarkable women in the nation. Moreover, women are sometimes appointed as priests, though that recognition is ordinarily granted only to elderly widows.
If a priest commits a crime or in some fashion becomes corrupted, he is nevertheless exempt from judgment by the courts, his punishment being left to God and his conscience. Such occurrences are exceedingly rare because priests are chosen with the utmost care; furthermore, the veneration afforded them incites them to virtue.
