How did Voltaire criticize absolutism and religious intolerance?

Voltaire was a central figure of the Enlightenment who utilized his literary influence to challenge the arbitrary power of the state and the dogmatism of the church.12

Criticism of Absolutism

Voltaire’s opposition to absolutism was fueled by his personal experience with the French judicial system, including his imprisonment in the Bastille without trial. He advocated for the reform of archaic laws and the abolition of torture and excessive punishments. Rather than acting as a traditional political theorist, he served as a powerful advocate at the bar of public opinion, using satire and argument to expose the injustices inherent in a regime that denied political opportunity and relied on arbitrary authority.23

Criticism of Religious Intolerance

Voltaire famously championed the cause of religious tolerance, often using the war cry "Écrasez l'infâme" ("crush infamy") to signify his fight against the intolerance of the church. He highlighted the dangers of religious fanaticism by publicizing cases of judicial injustice, such as the execution of Jean Calas, a Protestant wrongly accused of murder. Through works like his Treatise on Toleration, he argued that reason should be the ultimate authority, asserting that no religious or political institution should be immune to challenge.2314