SOME ESSENTIAL CONTENTS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION OF GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSING (1729 - 1781)

Abstract

As one of the famous thinkers of the Enlightenment era in Germany, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729 - 1781) has left mankind with many valuable ideas. He was not only a writer, poet, and art critic but also a philosopher of religion with some remarkable standpoints. Having faith in human reason, emphasizing the spirit of tolerance, and against dogmatic prejudice are fundamental features of Lessing’s religious philosophy. The article analyzes some of the ideological content of his religious philosophy such as human reason and religious issues; religious and moral issues.