/lit/ - Literature

>Capitalism and communism are the two most powerful pseudo-religions of the twentieth century. Both continue the hubris of the Western mind in regarding all salvation as centered on humans. Both are based on the idea of struggle, and in both humans hold the same stance toward the natural world-our right to exploit and dominate it.

>Capitalism, following upon scientific and technological triumphs, is the new secular religion replacing Christianity. It is Christianity turned worldly. As an otherworldly religion Christianity condemns the rich to bless the poor, who are promised the inheritance of Heaven. In capitalism the situation is reversed. The capitalist measures hopes for salvation by a person's success in his worldly endeavors. Material wealth gives the capitalist certainty that he is among God's elect, as opposed to the lazy masses.

>It has been argued that the master-slave relationship was a necessary condition when the natural world was inadequate to provide for the well-being of all. Under capitalism, however, the scientific and technological conquests of nature and the advent of machines-new slaves increasing productivity and wealth, and rendering human slavery unnecessary-have not liberated all humanity.

>The struggle between capitalism and communism is not merely political or economic, it is unmistakably religious. On both sides there is the certainty of the elect, and the certainty that those outside are excluded from salvation. Both are atheistic, glorifying in humanity's salvation by itself on earth.

>Machines, which have helped to settle the conflict between humans and nature, are now instrumental in ushering in a new stage in the dialectic of conflict. Since humans have become gods on earth we are now faced with the specter of the wars of the gods, which promise to destroy not only the existence of these gods but also all life on earth. The certainty of "mutual assured destruction" guarantees that if ever a major conflict erupts, the peace that ensues will be what Hegel calls the peace of death.

>Our present condition is the consequence of a long development in human religious consciousness. Ideas do not remain on the ideal plane; they spread and transform the earth's landscape as they are constantly being translated into concrete situations. Human behavior, including acts of war, expresses deep religious convictions. Certain mental states justify and sharpen conflict while others are more conducive to peace. The problem seems inherent in the very development of consciousness-a phenomenology of mind that has developed toward the opposition between humans and nature inevitably unfolds in like manner concerning the opposition among humans.

-- Chen/TTC