During the Enlightenment period the philosophers began questioning various topics; one of which they challenged is religion. In his novel Candide, Enlightenment thinker Voltaire criticizes the religious beliefs of the times. In fact, organized religion is one of the largest target of critique in Candide. His criticism of religion is carried out throughout the entire plot through the corruption of the church, ironic religious figures, and utopian-like beliefs.
By generating characters and situations that emphasize the corruption and greed of the church, Voltaire is exposing the hypocrisy of religion. The most notable and continuous example of corruption in the church is lust. Most, if not all, religions condone the act of copulation for pure …show more content…
When Candide is able to desert the Bulgars, he stumbles through various towns that were destroyed during the war conflict between the Bulgars and the Abares. Candide encounters an orator that preaches on the subject of charity, and when he approaches the orator in request for food the orator responds by asking “Do you believe the pope to be the Antichrist” (Voltaire 6). When Candide responded that he had not heard of such matters, the orator denies aiding Candide in any way. Voltaire is satirizing the religious community of his time for being hypocritical despite their pious religious morals. The orator symbolizes the religious people that preach of possessing saintly qualities, but deny any sort of civil service or good will outside of their religion. Voltaire believes that these ludicrous people, have not yet been enlightened with the true sentiment for others like Anabaptist James is. Voltaire alludes to the biblical story of the good Samaritan in order to express his frustration toward the people that have been taught to express good hearts, yet do not display such mannerism. Voltaire is sending a message through Anabaptist James and his allusion that good deeds come from true good hearted people in the name of god, or even commoners that do not know a bit about religion. I DONT GET …show more content…
These figures are often good hearted, pure, and devoted believers of the church. The Pope, being Catholic, is the most well known and respected religious figure throughout the world, yet Voltaire criticizes him when the Old Lady tells her story. The existence of the Old Lady is a blasphemy, for the Pope, friars, or any religious figures must be celibate. Voltaire addresses that even the Pope breaks from such rules despite their god like positions. Also, Voltaire additionally addresses the covert homosexuality relations that occur during the times. When Candide meets Cunegonde 's brother, he tells Candide that he was “very pretty; but I grew prettier, and the reverend Father Didrie superior of that house, conceived the tenderest friendship for me” ( Voltaire 35). Voltaire implies perverted actions and homosexuality between Jesuits. Despite being virginal, and knowledgeable of Gods distaste for homosexuality, these worshipers of God, defied God 's teachings by partaking in homosexual tendencies. Though Voltaire is more open to differences in opinions, he satirizes the folly and hypocrisy of religious figures that are not fit to be
By generating characters and situations that emphasize the corruption and greed of the church, Voltaire is exposing the hypocrisy of religion. The most notable and continuous example of corruption in the church is lust. Most, if not all, religions condone the act of copulation for pure …show more content…
When Candide is able to desert the Bulgars, he stumbles through various towns that were destroyed during the war conflict between the Bulgars and the Abares. Candide encounters an orator that preaches on the subject of charity, and when he approaches the orator in request for food the orator responds by asking “Do you believe the pope to be the Antichrist” (Voltaire 6). When Candide responded that he had not heard of such matters, the orator denies aiding Candide in any way. Voltaire is satirizing the religious community of his time for being hypocritical despite their pious religious morals. The orator symbolizes the religious people that preach of possessing saintly qualities, but deny any sort of civil service or good will outside of their religion. Voltaire believes that these ludicrous people, have not yet been enlightened with the true sentiment for others like Anabaptist James is. Voltaire alludes to the biblical story of the good Samaritan in order to express his frustration toward the people that have been taught to express good hearts, yet do not display such mannerism. Voltaire is sending a message through Anabaptist James and his allusion that good deeds come from true good hearted people in the name of god, or even commoners that do not know a bit about religion. I DONT GET …show more content…
These figures are often good hearted, pure, and devoted believers of the church. The Pope, being Catholic, is the most well known and respected religious figure throughout the world, yet Voltaire criticizes him when the Old Lady tells her story. The existence of the Old Lady is a blasphemy, for the Pope, friars, or any religious figures must be celibate. Voltaire addresses that even the Pope breaks from such rules despite their god like positions. Also, Voltaire additionally addresses the covert homosexuality relations that occur during the times. When Candide meets Cunegonde 's brother, he tells Candide that he was “very pretty; but I grew prettier, and the reverend Father Didrie superior of that house, conceived the tenderest friendship for me” ( Voltaire 35). Voltaire implies perverted actions and homosexuality between Jesuits. Despite being virginal, and knowledgeable of Gods distaste for homosexuality, these worshipers of God, defied God 's teachings by partaking in homosexual tendencies. Though Voltaire is more open to differences in opinions, he satirizes the folly and hypocrisy of religious figures that are not fit to be