Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789): article 10: the right not to be disturbed for religious opinions
The tenth article of the declaration states the following with regard to religion:
‘No one should be disturbed for his opinions, even in religion. This is on condition that their manifestation does not trouble public order as established by law.’
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789) is a short document drafted by the French general assembly. The assembly was a meeting that represented the citizens of France. It was formed in 1789 as a new institution in response to a major constitutional crisis in France. Due to severe financial and economic problems, the French king had convened the traditional popular representation, called the Estates-General. In Estates-General, the representatives of the nobility, the church and of the ‘third estate’ – the majority of the population – met as three separate groups. The third estate refused to meet separately. This led to the foundation of the general assembly. The rights that are listed in the declaration are a rupture with the political and legal system of France. For the first time, rights for men were not bound to particular social groups. All men who were citizens were now entitled to these rights. The Declaration asserts rights in various fields, including religion. The declaration protected various religious opinions, making way for equal rights for non-Catholics such as Jews and Protestants.
For more information on this and other peace treaties, see
Title
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789): article 10: the right not to be disturbed for religious opinions
Context
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789) is a short document drafted by the French general assembly. The assembly was a meeting that represented the citizens of France. It was formed in 1789 as a new institution in response to a major constitutional crisis in France. Due to severe financial and economic problems, the French king had convened the traditional popular representation, called the Estates-General. In Estates-General, the representatives of the nobility, the church and of the ‘third estate’ – the majority of the population – met as three separate groups. The third estate refused to meet separately. This led to the foundation of the general assembly. The rights that are listed in the declaration are a rupture with the political and legal system of France. For the first time, rights for men were not bound to particular social groups. All men who were citizens were now entitled to these rights. The Declaration asserts rights in various fields, including religion. The declaration protected various religious opinions, making way for equal rights for non-Catholics such as Jews and Protestants.
Questions
What did it mean to be ‘disturbed’ because of your religion then? What does it mean now? And what do you think would constitute a troubling of public order? Does this require limits on religious exercise?
Temporal Coverage
18th century
Spatial Coverage
Europe
France
Relation
Subject
Is Referenced By
Creator
Christophe Schellekens