The Cult of the Supreme Being and the Pursuit of a Republic of Virtue in the French Revolution

This book offers a reappraisal of Robespierre’s involvement in the Cult of the Supreme Being, which recognises him as the main actor in the introduction of this cult as the official state religion, while illustrating that its essential features were already apparent during the period of dechristianisation and the Cult of Reason.

The Cult of the Supreme Being and the Pursuit of a Republic of Virtue in the French Revolution analyses one of several concentric themes in the context of the rapidly evolving political situation of 1793-1794, as well as dechristianisation, the décadaire cult, and the Cult of Reason. In virtual form, is the republic of virtue – the goal to be attained through the observance of the Cult of the Supreme Being – while casting a shadow over the narrative is the Terror. This book offers a reappraisal of Robespierre’s involvement in the Cult of the Supreme Being, which recognises him as the main actor in the introduction of this cult as the official state religion, while illustrating that its essential features were already apparent during the period of dechristianisation and the Cult of Reason. While asserting a genuine popular basis for its introduction, this is nuanced by a detailed analysis of the large body of responses to the Law of 18 Floréal presented to the National Convention, reproduced in the Archives parlementaires. An examination of the responses to Robespierre’s overthrow reveals accusations of his manipulation and hypocrisy concerning the Cult of the Supreme Being, but not condemnation of the cult itself.