|
VOLTAIRE: ATHEIST OR BELIEVER IN GOD? Atheists see Voltaire as the ultimate infidel. He openly criticized both Catholics and Protestants as they entered various conflicts, and condemned religious hypocrisy firmly. This has led many to wrongly conclude that he was the enemy of God and religion. But this is totally wrong. All along Voltaire held a firm belief in God and as he moved toward old age he became a Christian. “Tonight I was in a meditative mood (about the order and beauty of the universe). One must be stupid not to recognize the author of it; one must be mad not to worship Him.” (Pomeau, 1995, 187) “We want a religion that is simple, wise, grand, worthy of God and made for us; in one word we want to serve God and men.” (Pomeau, 338) “Let’s worship this great Being ... It is He who from all eternity arranged matter in the immensity of space.” (Pomeau, 339) “(God)is the supreme being .He is unique, infinite, eternal, creator of the world.”(Pomeau, 385) “What is true religion? Love God and your neighbor as yourself.” (Pomeau, 386) “If God did not exist, everything would be allowed.” (Pomeau, 660) “(Christ) consoles in secret the hearts He enlightens. In the greatest of trials, He offers them support.” (Pomeau, 661) “(God is) supreme logic, a distant home.” (Pomeau, 662) “Praying means submitting.” (Pomeau, 662) “If God would not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him.” (Parton, 1884, P. 554) “But all nature cries to us that He exists, that there is a Supreme Intelligence, a power immense, an order admirable, and all teaches us our dependence.” (Parton, 554) “I die, adoring God, loving friends, not hating my enemies and detesting superstitions.” (Parton, 577) __
|
Back to "Inaccuracies"