Question comprehension and response analysis

¶ … Philosophical Dictionary, Voltaire professes that God must exist because the earth is so full of sublime beauty and divine wonder that an author must be responsible; such splendor could not create itself nor appear by magic. Therefore, according to Voltaire it is self-evident that God exists, the thoughts and realizations of the mind alone are enough proof. As Voltaire himself says, "One must be blind not to be dazzled by this spectacle; one must be stupid not to recognize the author of it; one must be mad not to worship Him." Thus not only does God exist, but a God of beauty exists, as opposed to one of hatred and vengeance. Such evil could not produce the dazzling sights that surround us, nor the intricate, complex and harmonious design pattern of our world where everything is intrinsically linked.

What separated Voltaire from many other deist philosophers was his outspoken criticism of the church and the atrocities conducted under the name of religion, succinctly summarized in the Philosophical Dictionary with his words "tell me if there have been peoples other than the Christians and the Jews in whom zeal and religion wretchedly transformed into fanaticism, have inspired so many horrible cruelties." Both this view and his belief that the world is so intricate as to require an author reflected the ideas of the Scientific Revolution. The Scientific Revolution was the basis of modern science and it called into question many dogmas regarded as fact. Yet, as the case remains today, there was no need for science and religion to be strictly autonomous and one could accept scientific knowledge and reason whilst still maintaining their faith. For many, the modern knowledge simply enhanced their belief by allowing them to understand how God created the world, rather than it being necessary to replace faith. Indeed, both the Scientific Revolution and Voltaire simply sought knowledge of how the world came to be. Voltaire's disdain for the crimes against humanity committed under the banner of serving God was similarly reflective of the Scientific Revolution in that both wanted to put a halt to the fanaticism that led to such wrong-doings. For some, the Scientific Revolution served to override belief in God and religion, but for others like Voltaire it saw the same end-goal as deists themselves: marvel in the wonders of the world instead of resorting to violence and cruelty, for that is not what God wants.

1b) the character Voltaire attributed to God was one of forgiveness and supremacy, punishing those who do wrong without being cruel or vindictive, and rewarding of virtue. In essence, Voltaire believed God to be wholly good and above all other beings, siding with no group or race of people but loving all equally. He also notes that God is above religious systems and doctrines as He predates them all.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus portrayed God as dependable, serving as a divine parental figure; protecting those requiring protection and rewarding people pure in heart who lead good lives. According to Jesus, the peacemakers, persecuted, meek and righteous will be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. Conversely, those who break the laws and intentionally do not lead righteous lives will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The God described by Jesus punishes wrongdoers, those with evil or hate in their hearts will go unrewarded, but at the same time God loves all equally and will send "his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous."

The God described by Voltaire and Jesus is almost identical, with both exclaiming He is perfect, forgiving and loving and rewarding of virtue. Both Voltaire and Jesus explain that God has no favorites and sees the entire human race as His children, He deserves worship and praise and in our doing so we will be rewarded.