Voltaire once said: “Of all religions, Christianity should obviously inspire the greatest tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men. " The quote was once true for the Catholic Church. Catholics have the Ten Commandments, one of which is: “Thou shalt not kill”. As long as the commandments were followed, this would guarantee a one-way ticket to heaven. However, what would happen what if the Catholic Church and the Pope gave permission for thousands of innocent people to be killed or punished just because they have their own beliefs that do not follow those of the Catholic religion In 1472, the Spanish rulers and the Catholic Church started the Spanish (Holy) Inquisition? in Western Europe (mainly Spain and Portugal) to gain more political and religious power. All heretics and non-believers were executed, tortured or driven out. Thousands of innocent people were killed or injured because they did not follow the Catholic belief system a famous Enlightenment writer who wrote many famous poems, plays and books. One of his most famous literary works is Candide. Candide is written by Voltaire to criticize the events that occurred during the Spanish Inquisition. The book's fictional characters make decisions in real life and are stuck in realistic life situations. Voltaire wrote about real things that happened in history and incorporated his opinions and views into the story (Barnes). Voltaire did not agree with the methods used by the Spanish rulers and the beliefs of the Catholic Church during the Spanish (Holy) Inquisition. Voltaire, the Catholic church and the Spanish rulers had very different beliefs and opinions. The Catholic Church rejected all ideas and philosophies that were diff...... middle of paper ......lopediaBritannica. Np, nd Web. 4 May 2014.%2F70387%2FThe Spanish-Inquisition>."The horrors of the Church and its Holy Inquisition." The horrors of the Church and its Holy Inquisition. Np, nd Web. 04 May 2014.."The Inquisitions." The plain truth about Protestantism. Np, nd Web. 17 April 2014..Voltaire. A philosophical dictionary. Np: E@adelaide, nd The University of Adelaide.Ebooks@adelaide. Network. 16 April 2014. "Biography of Voltaire". Bio.com. A&E Networks Television and Web. May 04, 2014.z2rGym8yQ>.