The Critique of Positive Religion in Hegel’s Philosophy

Abstract

This paper recalls a less known aspect of Hegelian philosophy of religion consisting in the radical critique of Christendom. Hegel criticized first of all Roman Catholic Church unlike Protestantism. Hegel underlined no biblical legitimization of church institution and therefore interpreted Christianity as a voluntary association but not as a mass institution. He also indicated negative implications of positive religion’s ethics. His views were characteristic for critical philosophy of religion developer since the 17th (Spinoza, Hobbes) till the 19th century (David Strauss, Bruno Bauer, Ludwig Feuerbach, Karol Marks). Today Hegel’s views may be relevant in debates on political secularization explaining genesis of important stream in Western Europe which questions meaning of authorities especially religious.