: First off, the implication that socialism is 'deity, utopia, nirvana' is put forth. I remeber studying few texts about Zen buddhism. Thinking about certain 'images' of deity, utopia, nirvana .. I'd say heaven is more "COMMUNISTIC" than "CAPITALISTIC". Isn't this amusing?
: Put simply---but accurately---socialism is a set of social relations between people.
Well, since SOCIAL RELATIONS are supposed to be set up by GOD, I'd say that gives them VERY EASY ACCESS towards what God THINKS. To certain people, society is empiricaly capitalistic.
: Odd how someone who belives in the 'Christian God' would accuse others of easy credulity!
: Next: the implication that people cannot---or (look out, sinners!) should not---have 'true self governance without God's leadership and direction in our lives' implies that God is governing 'our lives' NOW.
: Does God support global capitalism?
: Is he a stock-holder---or does he just like to watch?
He he. Barry, remember this?
"And the people bowed and prayed to the neon-god they made"
Capitalism is GOD to some people.
: Which brings us to the trite question: If indeed God is governing (or just watching), why did he allow the Holocaust to happen? Etc., etc.
Maybe he thought that was necessary, just as he though wiping out the first-born sons of Aegyptus was necessary.
: Religion is an explanatory fiction that promotes HIERARCHY to the ignorant poor.
I used to think that way. I still do. But I do notice some things. The writer/soicalist J.P. Sartre's explanations on the identity of "intellectuals" gave me some hint. Sartre says the intellectuals are a double-edged sword. They were created by the Bourgeoisie as mid-level managers and experts to promote and support and forge up ideologies and devices to support their rule.
At the same time, the knowledge that lies within their heads gives them 'reason', which certainly does notice the hypocrisy of it all. Through inner conflict can an intellectual find his own worth - a sword that is wielded by the proletariat. The weapon which was made for the Bourgeoisie now falls under the hands of the Proletariat.
So then, why not the believers and worshippers.
More often than not do I find that many "believers" are under this inner conflict. This, I find, might be another useful weapon.
Just as the intellectuals under the guidance of not the "neon-God" but their own reason towards the proletariat are powerful weapons, what would happen if "GOD" looses his grip on his sword, and it falls under the hands of Adam and Eve?
The sword of "man(human)", hacking the man-made "God".
Is this not a sight worth seeing!
