What were Voltaire's religious views?

Voltaire was introduced to the Enlightenment through the liberal and natural views of England's philosophers. His heroes were Locke, Newton and Francis Bacon. He appreciated the liberal, free society established in England and adopted many of its ideas. read more

Political Beliefs. According to the "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy," Voltaire was a strong advocate of political reform. He declared his own independent stance, saying he belonged to the "party of humanity." Aside from religion, his other main target was extremism in any form, be it political or religious. read more

Voltaire identified as a deist. He believed that if a deity created things he had left things once the process was started. Deism is to some, particularly at his time, considered equivalent to atheism, but the two concepts are quite distinct. read more

But Voltaire's God is not an exclusive king of a single ecclesiastical order. He is the world's 'supreme Intelligence, a Workman infinitely able'--and infinitely impartial. He has no favorite people, no favorite country, no favorite church. read more