Christian Criticism Quotes
This particular quotation was very damaging to Christians of the era. Voltaire was almost universally regarded as the greatest mind of Europe at the time. He was consulted by powerful monarchs and others throughout Europe. He influenced major figures of the day like Catherine the Great. Voltaire did believe in God. See {621200}.
Scientists themselves contain religious believers as well as atheists and agnostics, While there are a number of scientists who argue against religion, there are many who do not and are believers. Albert Einstein, for example, was a believer in a universal God. See {631763}.
The Illuminati was a secret society. At the time, anyone who differed with the Church on issues of philosophy, ethics or religion could be tortured and burned at the stake, and anyone who criticized the Monarchy could be tortured and hung or beheaded. The result was the concept of a secret society of which the Illuminati was one.