What does Voltaire's novel "Candide" primarily critique?

Voltaire's novel "Candide" primarily critiques religious persecution, showcasing the absurdities and contradictions within religious practices and institutions of his time. Through the character of Candide and his journey across various societies, Voltaire exposes how individuals suffer due to fanaticism and the violent enforcement of religious dogma. The narrative often illustrates the hypocrisy of religious figures who preach compassion and love while engaging in brutality and intolerance. By highlighting these issues, Voltaire advocates for a more rational and humane approach to religion, encouraging readers to question the doctrines that lead to persecution and suffering. This central theme reflects the Enlightenment ideals that promote reason and skepticism towards established authority, particularly in the realm of religion.