Sunday, August 16, 2009
Somaligious
It's known as "Christianity without the tears" and it's headed straight towards us. One of the main reasons we don't see any kind of religion in Brave New World is, not only beacause its downfall had already occured, but beacause with happiness in a bottle, there is no need for it. For years religion was seen as an escape from all our suffering and problems. Even now, our self-medicated minds draw farther away from the thoughts of religion. So why in a world of completely satifised desires and happiness, would religion be need? Soma is seen and used as religion. No problems, suffering, or fears. Along with that, soma has the ability to destroy the emerging "bad" emotions, being anything other than happiness. If we are all stable, the government can do anything. Give us soma today, take over the world tomorrow. So is soma just a banana strwaberry drink, or is it the new Our Lady of Sorrows (That Will Be Gone After I Drink a Sip of This?)
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Danny, you make a great point. Religion has declined in the world for one big reason: people feel like they just don't need it. When you look at poor countries like the Philippines they have such strong faith because they feel like they need it to live a better life. But where we live, religion is just declining because we just feel that its unnecessary. After all, what good is religion if you feel life is great without it?
ReplyDeleteI think that religion is declining as well in the world. However, I think that not only do people in poorer countries feel like they need religion, but that it's the only thing that they know. In poorer countries, people must work hard to survive so they don't have as much time as the people in our country to learn all about different things. They are taught a religion and stay with that religion, and it get passed down to each generation until it is firmly planted.
ReplyDeleteIn our society, there is time to go to school and learn new things so there are many choices in life. There are tons of religions out there, but people are now starting to worship the television and the computer. That is why I think people are straying away from religions.
I also think that the importance for religion is dying in our world today because people feel it is unnecessary and worshiping of other things like the television and computer. I don't think it will be to bold to compare technology to soma. A person could be having a really bad week because of family problems but then just turn on my Playstation, start playing Guitar Hero and get lost in a "whole other world." Before the times of this type of technology one most likely would have gone to church to seek guidance to get through their problems.
ReplyDeleteIt is also just not being passed down. For example, my dad's parents are deeply religious, meaning always refering to the Bible and never missing church. My dad was raised to do the same, but as he became a parent, the things that can be compared to soma took over and never allowed him to pass down religion to me. Now all I know is my laptop and cell phone to make me happy by connecting with friends, not by seeking guidance in a church.
It's true that religion has gone downhill. However, I think that it is not only because religion is not necessary (believe me, it still is) but because, like all other forms of public discourse, it is being displaced by media-entertainment and narcotics. Religion is no longer the most popular choice for getting over problems anymore. People choose to ignore their problems instead, and in many different ways nowadays. After all, it is much easier (or less scarier) to flee than to fight.
ReplyDeleteSome people choose watching movies, or submerging themselves into electronic realms and communities. Others choose to drink, smoke, or self-medicate their troubles away. Drugs are easy and cheap, and entertainment has inevitably become a part of our lives. None of these have to remind you that you've done something bad, or feel guilty about it in order to forget your troubles. Both of these methods provide the idea that problems can be solved quickly, and painlessly. Despite the fact that people are aware that these philosophies are wrong, people continue to force themselves into believeing in them because everybody wants an easy way out.
Religion provides beautiful philosophies about life, forgiveness, and moral principles. These are still useful, even in our society. It's just that the philoshophies that media and narcotics offer are far more practical. That's the main reason why I think that religion is being displaced.
I agree that the availability of express happiness is killing the importance of religion. BNW's civilized society has no need of a higher unfathomable power. What is there to pray for when you're completely satisfied and protected? Our society nowadays is moving farther and farther from the thought of life beyond materialism. This is because of the changing values of our times. What was then and now are so different.
ReplyDeleteReligion still is pretty important to many (less ufortunate) societies in the world. What we need to realize that these happiness pills do not offer a short term effect. They may be good at first but nothing without passion lasts forever. The beauty with religion and faith is that, although it may take more patience to appreciate, it offers the humility, gratitude, and peace of mind that the soma pill fail to give.