The play, “Fanaticism, or Mahomet the Prophet,” uses the founder of Islam to lampoon all forms of religious frenzy and intolerance. ~snip~ When Voltaire wrote the play in 1741, Roman Catholic clergymen denounced it as a thinly veiled anti-Christian tract. Their protests forced the cancellation of a staging in Paris after three performances and hardened Voltaire's distaste for religion. ~snip~ Goldzink said Voltaire mocked all religions but had some sympathy for Islam, which Voltaire described as “less impure and more reasonable” than Christianity and Judaism. ~snip~ He later campaigned in vain to reverse a blasphemy conviction against a French noble,...