Why was the enlightenment considered a turning point in world history?

The Enlightenment and French Revolution were both turning points in European history. The Enlightenment marked a change in religion, science, philosophy, and government. The French Revolution also marked a change many of the aspects of French life and society. The Enlightenment greatly influenced the changes implemented in the French Revolution.

Typically, the fate of new religious movements is largely beyond their control, depending greatly on features of the environment in which they appear. Here, two important factors are involved. The first is the degree of state regulation of religion. Where the state is prepared to vigorously persecute any challengers to the conventional faith(s), it will be extremely difficult for new religions to grow. The second is the vigor of the conventional religious organization(s) against which new religions must compete. Usually, there is no significant market niche for a new religion to fill because most people are already reasonably satisfied participants in the "older" religion(s). However, once in a while the conventional religious organization(s) are sufficiently weak to provide an opportunity for something truly new to arise and flourish.

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