The prevailing struggle between the church and religious skepticism, brought on by the enlightened thinkers, influenced Moliere to characterize the conflict within the play. An example of how the tension between the enlightened thinkers and the church can be found within Immanuel Kant’s, What is Enlightenment?.
“I have placed the main point of enlightenment-the escape of men from their self-incurred tutelage-chiefly in matter of religion because our rulers have no interest in playing the guardian with respect to the arts and sciences and also because religious incompetence is not only the most harmful but also the most degrading of all.” (Kant