Enlightenment thinkers like Diderot and Voltaire challenged religious structures by advocating for reason, skepticism of established beliefs, and the separation of church and state. The correct assertion would be that Diderot and Voltaire used reasoning rather than religion to explain the natural world.
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Use of Reason: Both thinkers promoted rational thought and empirical evidence over religious dogma. They encouraged critical thinking and questioned the traditional religious explanations of natural phenomena.
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Critique of Organized Religion: Voltaire was particularly vocal about his criticism of organized religion, pointing out its potential for hypocrisy and intolerance. He famously advocated for civil liberties, including the freedom of religion, while emphasizing the importance of reason and ethics.
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Diderot's Encyclopédie: Diderot co-edited the "Encyclopédie," which aimed to compile and disseminate knowledge across various fields, challenging the church's monopoly on knowledge and education.
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Separation of Church and State: Both thinkers promoted the idea that religion should not influence governance, which was a radical idea at the time. They believed that societal progress would stem from secular governance informed by reason rather than religious doctrine.
In summary, while both thinkers recognized the role of religion in people's lives, they fundamentally believed that a reliance on reason and critical inquiry was essential for human progress, in contrast to the rigid structures of organized religion.
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