The Potuans’ Religion

The system of religion in Potu is very simple.

Religion in Potu is very simple.

It is forbidden, under pain of banishment to the firmament, to explain the holy books; whoever dares to dispute the being and nature of the Deity, is sent to the mad-house and is bled. It is foolish, they say, to attempt to describe that to which our senses are as blind as the eyes of the owl in sunshine. All agree in worshiping a superior being, whose omnipotence has created and whose providence maintains all things. Each one is permitted to think and worship as he pleases; they only who publicly attack the prevailing religion, are punished as peace-disturbers. The people pray seldom, but with so ardent a devotion, that a looker-on would think them enraptured during the continuance of the prayer.

Explaining the holy books is forbidden, and the penalty is banishment to the firmament. Anyone who dares to debate the existence and nature of the Deity is sent to a madhouse and bloodlet. The people say it is foolish to try to describe what our senses cannot perceive. Our senses are as blind to such things as an owl’s eyes are in sunlight. All agree in worshiping a supreme being whose almighty power created everything and whose providence sustains it. Everyone is free to think and worship as they please. Only those who publicly attack the prevailing religion are punished for disturbing the peace. The people seldom pray, but their devotion is so intense that an onlooker would think them enraptured throughout their prayers.

I told them that it was our custom to pray and sing psalms, while at our domestic duties. This they blamed. "An earthly king," said they, "would be angry should one who came to petition for something, brush his clothes and comb his hair in the presence of his sovereign."

I told them we usually prayed and sang psalms while doing household chores. They disapproved of this custom. "An earthly king," they said, "would be angry if someone came to ask him for something while brushing their clothes and combing their hair in his presence."

They have many curious notions of religion, which they defend very artfully; for example, when I remarked to some of them whose friendship I had gained, that they could not expect to be blessed after death, since they walked in darkness here, they answered: "He, who with severity condemned others, was himself in danger of being condemned."

They have many unusual ideas about religion, which they defend very skillfully. For example, I spoke to some whose friendship I had gained. I told them they could not expect blessings after death, since they lived in darkness here. They answered: "Anyone who harshly condemned others was himself in danger of being condemned."

I once advised them to pray every day. They did not deny the importance of prayer, but thought true religion consisted in obeying the will of God. "Suppose," continued they, "that a king has two kinds of subjects: some err every day, violating from ignorance or malice the ruler's commands; they come each day with petitions and deprecations to the palace, beg pardon for their faults, and depart only to recommit them.

I once advised them to pray every day. They did not deny that prayer was important, but believed true religion meant obeying God's will. "Suppose," they continued, "that a king has two kinds of subjects. Some do wrong every day, breaking the king's commands out of ignorance or malice. They come to the palace each day with requests and pleas, begging forgiveness for their faults. Then they leave, only to commit the same faults again.

"The others come seldom, and never voluntarily to court, but execute faithfully and diligently every of the king's commands, and thereby evince the respect and loyalty due to him.

"The others rarely come to court, and never willingly. But they carry out every command from the king faithfully and diligently. In doing so, they show the respect and loyalty they owe him.

"Will not the king think these deserving of his love, as good subjects and faithful; but, on the contrary, those as evil subjects, burthensome as well for their misdeeds as for their frequent petitions?"

"Won't the king think these good and faithful subjects deserve his love? But won't he think those others are bad subjects, a burden because of their misdeeds and frequent requests?"

There are five festival days during the year. The first of these, which takes place at the beginning of the oak month, is solemnized with great devotion, in dark places, where not a ray of light is suffered to enter, signifying that the being they worship is inconceivable. The festival is called the "inconceivable-God's-day." The whole day, from sunrise to sunset, the people remain immovable, engaged in earnest and heart-felt prayer. In the four other festivals, thanks to God for his blessings form the principal ceremonies.

There are five festival days during the year. The first takes place at the beginning of the oak month. It is observed with great devotion in dark places where no light is allowed to enter. The darkness signifies that the being they worship is beyond understanding. The festival is called "inconceivable-God's-day." From sunrise to sunset, the people remain motionless, praying earnestly and from the heart. The main ceremonies of the other four festivals give thanks to God for his blessings.