Which Enlightenment figure is known for his criticisms of religion and the Church, and for his advocacy of religious tolerance?
Voltaire
Voltaire, one of the most prominent figures of the Enlightenment, was a fierce critic of the Catholic Church and religious institutions of his time, which he often deemed oppressive and dogmatic. Through his satirical writings and essays, he championed freedom of thought and the necessity for religious tolerance, arguing that the diversity of beliefs should not be a source of conflict but rather an enrichment to society. His commitment to freedom of expression and against intolerance makes him a precursor to the ideals of secularism and pluralism that characterize many modern societies.
