托克维尔对民主与宗教的思考

Tocqueville's Reflection on Democracy and Religion

在托克维尔看来,正确理解民主与宗教的关系极为重要。托克维尔无论在考虑民主社会的自由建构还是考虑其隐伏的危险时,都与宗教问题联系起来。托克维尔认为,宗教符合人性;美国通过承认宗教的实际效用,宗教由此既成为自由的一个保障,也成为民主平等的边界之一;在法国,大革命则以宗教革命的形式发动了一场政治革命。宗教维度内在于西方的政治生活与社会生活,但也要设法有效应对宗教力量的式微倾向,保持宗教的影响力。

In Tocqueville＇s view, it is extremely important to understand correctly the relationship between democracy and religion. No matter considering the establishment of democratic societies or taking into account the dangers of theirs, Tocqueville always links them with religion. He argues that religion is conformed to human nature. And in the United States, by recognizing the practical utilities of religion, it is thus as a guarantee of freedom and become one of the boundaries of democratic equality. In France, however, the French Revolution broke out in the form of a religious revolution. It is religion that exists inherently in the political and social life of the West. But, to maintain the influence of religion, the tendency of declining power of religion should be responded effectively.