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About this quote

What does it mean?
Voltaire suggests that rational thought often conflicts with religious dogma and clergy authority.
In plain terms
Reason and common sense clash with religion and its leaders.
What can you take from it?
Critical thinking challenges established religious authority.

Where it applies

  • theological debate
  • secular critique
  • philosophical inquiry

Putting it to work

  • analyzing religious texts
  • discussing church influence
  • promoting secularism

Questions to consider

  • How does your faith view logic?
  • Can reason and belief coexist?

Another view

Some religious traditions embrace reason and common sense as complementary.

More from Voltaire

  1. No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.

    Permalink to quote #101
  2. Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.

    Permalink to quote #100
  3. I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

    Permalink to quote #99

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