The Opiate Of the Masses

Religion is truly the opiate of the masses. I think it is remarkable that some religions can preach goodness and submission in exchange for comfort. What a great deal! All you have to do is surrender your will to something greater than you are, and you'll get comfort in exchange.

Strangely enough, it seems like precisely what a monarch would want to ensure a docile populace. Now, I have nothing against goodness and good deeds. Those generate social benefits and these positive externalities are almost certainly welcome. I do, however, take issue with the concept of submission.

In my opinion, there is a difference between submitting one's will to a higher authority, and dedicating one's deeds and thoughts to a higher purpose or authority. The first involves a surrender of free will, and taking on the will of the higher authority. The second involves a redirection of free will to align oneself with the higher authority or purpose. The distinction here is that the first opens one to abuse by others claiming to know the will of the higher authority, while the second is a matter of free will and there is discretion involved.

This discretion is essential in ensuring that one's deeds and thoughts are properly aligned with what one believes of one's higher purpose. Otherwise, it is possible for one to be told that food is good, and for that someone to continue forcing more good food down the gullet of a goose to give the goose more goodness. Poor goose. How tasty.