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In ''Candide'' (1759), his chief work, Voltaire criticized a popular philosophical theory of [[Leibniz]] which  described the world as being in its best possible state because it was in [[God]]'s hands. To illustrate this point, he follows the story of Candide as increasingly terrible things happen to him until he loses his optimistic view of the world and his [[Christianity|faith]].

In ''Candide'' (1759), his chief work, Voltaire criticized a popular philosophical theory of [[Leibniz]] which  described the world as being in its best possible state because it was in [[God]]'s hands. To illustrate this point, he follows the story of Candide as increasingly terrible things happen to him until he loses his optimistic view of the world and his [[Christianity|faith]].

In a sense, Voltaire was also indirectly responsible for the formation of Marxism, due to Karl Marx's father often reading to Marx several of Voltaire's works.<ref>https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Heinrich+Marx</ref> On a similar note, he alongside his contemporary Denis Diderot and also Edward Gibbon were also directly responsible for the creation of [[scientism]], where they tried to weaponize science and pure reason to try and destroy Christianity, despite having no personal experience with or any genuine expertise in the field of science themselves.<ref>http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-3274629/False-conflict-Christianity-is-not.html<br />{{cquote|Recent historical research has debunked the idea of a "Dark Ages" after the "fall" of [[Roman Empire|Rome]]. In fact, this was an era of profound and rapid technological progress, by the end of which Europe had surpassed the rest of the world. Moreover, the so-called "Scientific Revolution" of the sixteenth century was a result of developments begun by religious scholars starting in the eleventh century. In my own academic research I have asked why these religious scholastics were interested in science at all. Why did science develop in Europe at this time? Why did it not develop anywhere else? I find answers to those questions in unique features of Christian [[theology]].  

In a sense, Voltaire was also indirectly responsible for the formation of Marxism, due to Karl Marx's father often reading to Marx several of Voltaire's works.<ref>https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Heinrich+Marx</ref><ref>https://journals.wichita.edu/index.php/ff/article/download/50/57/0</ref> On a similar note, he alongside his contemporary Denis Diderot and also Edward Gibbon were also directly responsible for the creation of [[scientism]], where they tried to weaponize science and pure reason to try and destroy Christianity, despite having no personal experience with or any genuine expertise in the field of science themselves.<ref>http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-3274629/False-conflict-Christianity-is-not.html<br />{{cquote|Recent historical research has debunked the idea of a "Dark Ages" after the "fall" of [[Roman Empire|Rome]]. In fact, this was an era of profound and rapid technological progress, by the end of which Europe had surpassed the rest of the world. Moreover, the so-called "Scientific Revolution" of the sixteenth century was a result of developments begun by religious scholars starting in the eleventh century. In my own academic research I have asked why these religious scholastics were interested in science at all. Why did science develop in Europe at this time? Why did it not develop anywhere else? I find answers to those questions in unique features of Christian [[theology]].  

Even in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the leading scientific figures were overwhelmingly devout Christians who believed it their duty to comprehend God's handiwork. My studies show that the "Enlightenment" was conceived initially as a propaganda ploy by militant atheists attempting to claim credit for the rise of science. The falsehood that science required the defeat of religion was proclaimed by self-appointed cheerleaders like [[Voltaire]], [[Denis Diderot|Diderot]], and [[Edward Gibbon|Gibbon]], who themselves played no part in the scientific enterprise......}}</ref>

Even in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the leading scientific figures were overwhelmingly devout Christians who believed it their duty to comprehend God's handiwork. My studies show that the "Enlightenment" was conceived initially as a propaganda ploy by militant atheists attempting to claim credit for the rise of science. The falsehood that science required the defeat of religion was proclaimed by self-appointed cheerleaders like [[Voltaire]], [[Denis Diderot|Diderot]], and [[Edward Gibbon|Gibbon]], who themselves played no part in the scientific enterprise......}}</ref>

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Voltaire, his name nearly a byword for the French Enlightenment itself, died unsaved. Remember well: "He that believeth on him is not condemned:  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18, KJV)

Voltaire, his name nearly a byword for the French Enlightenment itself, died unsaved. Remember well: "He that believeth on him is not condemned:  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18, KJV) After his death, [[Mozart]] was reported to have declared after a performance "The archfiend Voltaire has finally kicked the bucket."

===Legacy===

===Legacy===

{{cquote|It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.}}

{{cquote|It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.}}

{{cquote|Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.}}

{{cquote|Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.}}

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Anti-Christianity]]

[[Category:Anti-Christianity]]

[[Category:Classical Liberals]]

[[Category:Classical Liberals]]