In 1794, Robespierre proposed the following decree containing fifteen articles, which outline his views on the new cult.
 

   Article I. The French people recognize the existence of the Supreme Being, and the immortality of the soul.

    Article II. It recognizes that the best way of worshipping the Supreme Being is to do one's duties as a man.

    Article III. It considers that the most important of these duties are: to  detest bad faith and despotism, to punish tyrants and traitors, to assist the unfortunate, to respect the weak, to defend the oppressed, to do all the good one can to one's neighbour, and to behave with justice towards all men.

    Article IV. Festivals shall be instituted to remind men of the Deity, and of the dignity of their state.

    Article V. These festivals shall be named after the glorious events of our Revolution, the virtues which are most dear to men, and most useful, and the chief blessing of nature.

    Article VI. The French Republic shall celebrate every year the anniversaries of July 14, 1789, August 10, 1792, January 21, 1793, and May 31, 1793.

    Article VII.  It shall celebrate, on successive décadis, the following festivals: the Supreme Being, and Nature; the human race; the French people; the benefactors of mankind; the martyrs of freedom; liberty and equality; the Republic; the liberty of the world; patriotism; hatred of tyrants and traitors; truth; justice; courage; modesty; glory; heroism; posterity; happiness.

    Article VIII. The Committees of Pubic Safety and of Education are instructed to present a scheme for the organization of these festivals.

    Article IX. The National Convention invites all those whose talents are worthy of serving the cause of mankind to the hounour of assisting in the establishment of these festivals by submitting hymns or civic songs, or anything else likely to contribute to their beauty or utility.

    Article X. The Committee of Public Safety shall award distinction to such works as appear to it calculated to achieve these objects, and shall reward their authors.

    Article XI. Freedom of worship is confirmed, in the terms of the decree of 18th Frimaire.

    Article XII. Any meeting of aristocrats, or any that contravenes public order, shall be suppressed.

    Article XIII. In the event of troubles caused by or arising out of any form of public worship, all those who excited them by fanatical preaching or counter-revolutionary suggestions, and all those who provoked them by unjust or uncalled-for acts of violence, shall be equally punished, with all the rigor of the law.

    Article XIV. A separate report shall be prepared, dealing with the detailed arrangements consequential upon the present decree.

    Article XV. There shall be celebrated, upon the 20th Prairial next, a national festival in honour of the Supreme Being.

Excerpt from:
Rudé, George, ed. Robespierre. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc.,
     1967.
 

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