The elderly man in Eldorado provides the most positive view on religion. The residents of Eldorado, who are always in harmony, are all priests who never pray for anything. Instead, they "constantly thank him." This depiction stands in stark contrast to Candide's experiences with religion: "You have no monks who teach, argue, rule, plot, and burn people who don't agree with them?" The old man replies, "we'd be mad if we did." For both the narrative and Voltaire, religion is a personal connection between an individual and God—not a means for power, priests, churches, and inquisitions.