What does it mean to be enlightened? Webster’s Dictionary gives the definition of enlightened as “having or showing a rational, modern, and well informed outlook.” During the 1700’s in what is known as the Enlightenment period rationality and order seem to be gaining momentum. The leaders of the Enlightenment sought to impose an ordered freedom on social and political institutions, attacking attitudes and beliefs that stood in the way of tolerance, freedom, and rationality. Whether it be the religious outlook of the free-masons or something as simple as using round tables instead of square ones so no one is the head of the table, the enlightenment paved the way to a better and brighter future saturated in the arts, sciences, and religion.
Webster’s definition is a fairly accurate definition of the so-called “enlightened” people during the 1700’s, in what we call, The Enlightenment. The average “enlightened” person was sophisticated and considered advanced or liberal, with knowledge of literature, music, and the arts. What set people apart from the others during this time were their thirst for knowledge and their search for answers to the questions of their souls as well as their minds.
“Christianity Under Attack” would be an apt headline for a newspaper during the Enlightenment. Although people did not pick up arms and wage war against believers they questioned religion. In a sense they fought battles with the church by asking frivolous questions concerning the Bible. So- called “enlightened” people ridiculed theologians and denounced the churches for inciting what they considered fanaticism. Secularism, or a doctrine that rejects religion or religious considerations and humanism, an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance rather than divine or supernatural matters. Perhaps the most famous of the many new forms of secular culture, were the salons. Mostly ran by women and found in Paris, the salons offered a place that was civilized and open to...