Did enlightened thinkers of the Age of Reason believe in religious dogma?

Question

I believe most everyone at that time went to church as almost a mandatory part of society and life.

Answer 1

Yes it's true that most people were compelled to go to Church at that time, especially in European countries such as France. It doesn't mean they all believed it. Especially not the enlightenment thinkers (who were mostly deists- or closet atheists)

"I have taken St. Thomas of Didymus for my patron saint, who has always insisted on an examination with his own hands."
Voltaire (prominent enlightenment thinker and deist)

Answer 2

Religious dogma does'nt really factor in to the decision making progress of enlightened thinkers of this age because enlightened thinkers don't exist - so much is unknown about the human condition that we cannot be enlightened until al koweledge is found, examined and understood - religious dogma is a huge aspect of anybody life regardless of how they view this earth and something so powerful cannot not be understood fully until koweledge is achieved.

Answer 3

The Age of Reason brought out all manner of topics to debate, and if by enlightened thinkers you refer to the likes of Plato and Socrates, most of them were Greeks and they were jsut getting over a period of polydeity, so, church as christians know it, they did not attend, they stayed with their young male lovers, check out Eros in my source if you don't believe me, be sure to follow the links to other referenced names.

Answer 4

Really realized enlighted masters transcend religion, caste, culture, time space and situation.

Answer 5

Voltair didn't. I don't know about the rest of them. You can't group them all into one catergory.

Answer 6

4 good links to read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761571679/Age_of_Enlightenment.html
http://www.whitworth.edu/academic/Department/Core/Classes/CO250/Intro/d_ageof.htm
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9032680/Enlightenment
:)