THE USE OF THE TERM “ATHEISM”

Since few philosophers today think that Hobbes was an atheist, proving that he was a theist is not a pressing matter. Nonetheless, investigating the grounds for the charge against him will motivate the introduction of certain methodological principles that are commonly used in interpreting Hobbes's works. Unlike Nietzsche and Sartre, for example, Hobbes never says that he is an atheist. To the contrary, he affirms his belief in God on many occasions. The case against him, then, is at best indirect. It is based upon inferences that his contemporaries and scholars have made about his work.

One piece of prima facie evidence that Hobbes was an atheist is the fact that some of his contemporaries called him an atheist. But this is not strong evidence. The term “atheist” was used indiscriminately in Hobbes's day as a term of abuse, as some observers of the contemporary scene recognized. In his essay “Of Atheism,” Francis Bacon wrote, “[A]ll that impugn a received religion, or superstition, are, by the adverse part, branded with the name of atheists.” An article in a newspaper edited by Marchamont Nedham says that the priests “call every thing that squares not with their corrupt Clergy-Interest” atheism (Mercurius Politicus, no. 84, January 8–15, 1652). A theologian who was trying to improve the theoretical underpinnings of Christianity was especially likely to be tagged an atheist.