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.
