Bayle tra «religion du serment» e «religion du souverain»

Abstract

While it may seem odd to expect a proper “political theology” from Bayle, his work is a perfect viewpoint from which to analyze the relationship between religion and politics within the context of the European wars of religion. This paper takes into consideration the evolution of Bayle’s position, with regard to two key concepts: the “religion du serment”, that is, the subject’s duty to obey his legitimate ruler, in spite of their different faith, and the “religion du souverain”, that is, the sovereign’s duty to follow, as Henry IV did, a principle of “raison d’État”, rather than his own private beliefs.