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About this quote

What does it mean?
Superstition distorts religion like astrology distorts astronomy; both have dominated humanity.
In plain terms
Superstition is to religion what astrology is to science: a foolish offshoot that ruled the world.
What can you take from it?
Irrational beliefs often masquerade as wisdom.

Where it applies

  • religious debates
  • scientific skepticism
  • cultural critique

Putting it to work

  • distinguish faith from dogma
  • promote scientific literacy

Questions to consider

  • How do we spot superstition in belief?
  • Is all faith rational?

Another view

Religion and superstition are not always easily separable.

More from Voltaire

  1. Quoi que vous fassiez, ecrasez l'infame, et aimez qui vous aime.

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  2. Il y a eu des gens qui ont dit autrefois: Vous croyez des choses incomprehensibles, contradictoires, impossibles, parce que nous vous l'avons ordonne; faites d…

    Permalink to quote #36
  3. There are truths which are not for all men, nor for all times.

    Permalink to quote #33

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