Hypocracy Within Religious Institutions [insert better title]
Religious institutions are considered epitomes of purity and are perceived as pillars of society, but they are only was pure as the people operating them. In his novella Candide, Voltaire discusses a corrupted society by highlighting its flawed foundation: its religious institutions. Through corruption and hypocrisy within religious institutions, Voltaire suggests that pedestals established by society become vehicles for expressing the impurities of human nature.
In Candide’s world, those expected to rid society of impurities such as greed and vice are the greatest culprits. After escaping the brutality of the Bulgar army, Lady Cunegonda falls into the clutches of Don Issachar, a “ jew… with a weakness for women, ” (41). Cunegonda also attracts the lustful eyes of the Grand Inquisitor, a Portuguese church official. The Grand Inquisitor demands to …show more content…
Jesuits are known for spreading peace and emphasising education, but their militarized encampment confirms the triumph of greed over religious obligations. When first visiting the mission, Cacambo states that, “the reverend father owns the whole lot, and the people own nothing, thats what I call a masterpiece of reason and justice,” (62). By calling the Jesuit’s establishment , one of “peace and justice” Voltaire illuminates the absurdity of the whole operation through verbal irony. These Jesuits, “ fight the Kings of Spain and Portugal,” for control over land in the new world and, “give them absolution in europe,” (62). When given the opportunity, even humble groups like the Jesuits turn to inhumane practices to gain power and control. The greed for power is ingrained in human nature and is simply ignited once given ultimate reverence by native societies in the new
Religious institutions are considered epitomes of purity and are perceived as pillars of society, but they are only was pure as the people operating them. In his novella Candide, Voltaire discusses a corrupted society by highlighting its flawed foundation: its religious institutions. Through corruption and hypocrisy within religious institutions, Voltaire suggests that pedestals established by society become vehicles for expressing the impurities of human nature.
In Candide’s world, those expected to rid society of impurities such as greed and vice are the greatest culprits. After escaping the brutality of the Bulgar army, Lady Cunegonda falls into the clutches of Don Issachar, a “ jew… with a weakness for women, ” (41). Cunegonda also attracts the lustful eyes of the Grand Inquisitor, a Portuguese church official. The Grand Inquisitor demands to …show more content…
Jesuits are known for spreading peace and emphasising education, but their militarized encampment confirms the triumph of greed over religious obligations. When first visiting the mission, Cacambo states that, “the reverend father owns the whole lot, and the people own nothing, thats what I call a masterpiece of reason and justice,” (62). By calling the Jesuit’s establishment , one of “peace and justice” Voltaire illuminates the absurdity of the whole operation through verbal irony. These Jesuits, “ fight the Kings of Spain and Portugal,” for control over land in the new world and, “give them absolution in europe,” (62). When given the opportunity, even humble groups like the Jesuits turn to inhumane practices to gain power and control. The greed for power is ingrained in human nature and is simply ignited once given ultimate reverence by native societies in the new