Question

voltaire, like many philosophers of his day, was a deist. he believed that god created the universe and that this could be proven through pure reason, without the need for faith or organized religion. voltaire is known for his philosophical writing, his great wit, and as a crusader against injustice, intolerance, cruelty, and war.
in france, in the 1700s, he was the most outspoken writer who supported political and social reform. he challenged the catholic church by stating \crush the infamous thing\ in reference to the dogmatic church. because his writing criticized the king and the church, he lived most of his life in constant fear of being jailed and the majority of his works were officially banned. he was an advocate of free speech stating \i disagree with what you have to say but will defend to the death your right to say it.\ he was forced into exile in england (which was free intellectually under their constitutional monarchy) by king louis xv.
what were voltaires views on religion?
why were his works controversial? how did those in power respond to his writing?

Explanation:

Voltaire was a Deist. He believed God created the universe provable by pure reason, without need for faith or organized religion. His works criticized the King and the Catholic Church, so they were officially banned and he lived in fear of being jailed. Those in power, like King Louis XV, forced him into exile.

Answer:

What were Voltaire's views on religion? He was a Deist, believing God created the universe provable by pure reason, without need for faith or organized religion.
Why were his works controversial? How did those in power respond to his writing? His works criticized the King and the Catholic Church, so they were officially banned. He lived in fear of being jailed and was forced into exile by King Louis XV.