Final answer:
Enlightenment thinkers distanced themselves from traditional religious authority to prevent conflicts, introducing Deism and atheism while inadvertently remaining influenced by religious ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Enlightenment era marked a significant shift in the way thinkers approached the role of religion in society. Enlightenment thinkers moved away from religion as they sought to curtail the political power of organized religion to prevent the reoccurrence of intolerant religious wars like those in the preceding centuries. They introduced novel concepts such as Deism and atheism, significantly altering the perceived role of the divine in everyday life.
Ironically, while aiming to limit the influence of religious dogma, many Enlightenment philosophers themselves were profoundly influenced by religious ideas. Although the movement was generally anti-clerical, it did not necessarily mean the abandonment of all religious thought. The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, coupled with influences from the scientific revolution, encouraged a different perspective on religion where God was seen as a 'watchmaker,' setting the universe in motion and letting it operate according to natural laws without further divine intervention.
These philosophical shifts had profound effects not only on religious thought but also on the social and political realms. Absolutism and the divine right of kings were challenged, paving the way for ideas of rationalism, anthropocentrism, and the emergence of the social contract theory, which emphasized the protection of individual freedoms. Nevertheless, the relationship between philosophy and religion remained complex, and most philosophers did not entirely abandon religious inquiry, highlighting an enduring connection between the two domains.