Church, Huxley, and the Communist Manifesto

Did Marx have a point? Is religion the opiate of the masses?

The answer, as is often the case, depends on the interpretation of the question. But before we delve into that, just a few words on what led me to the question. My church here in Chicago has been renovating the evening service, and the worship director chose to name it "Soma." A fine choice, since soma is the Greek word for "body." My initial thought, though, wasn't the Greek association (and not just because I don't know the first bit of Greek). Instead, as any fan of Aldous Huxley knows, soma was the name of the sedative given to the citizenry in "Brave New World." Religion as sedative. That's just how my mind works.

Now, in an effort to relieve myself of these thoughts, I'm going to explore the question in some depth. If by "religion," one means all organized systems of belief, then my answer is a qualified yes. Religion tends to alter our consciousness and view of the world. It placates the downtrodden. And in many cases, it can give comfort by numbing the pain of this world with promises of future enlightenment or paradise.

There is a fly in the ointment, though. Marx's famous statement only holds true if, as he believed, religion is nonsense. What happens, though, if one religion is true? I am a Christian, and Christianity is nothing like an opiate. An opiate dulls the senses and induces relaxation to the point of apathy. Christianity, on the other hand, calls believers to act boldly out of love for everyone. It goes without saying that some bold Christian actions have been indefensible; however, we are not discussing the actions of sinful people. We are focusing on what should happen in the Christian life. As C.S. Lewis puts it, people who mature in their Christian faith become "more fully themselves." They are humble, kind, good, generous, and joyful. Hardly the characteristics of the denizens of a steepled opium den.

OK, but that's Christianity in high-minded theory. Does Christianity in practice act as an opiate? My friend Coco once quipped, "just because somebody's a Christian, that doesn't give them an excuse to detach their frontal lobe." Sometimes, even people who believe in the Truth use it to relieve themselves of the pressures of critical thought. This intellectual laziness is often couched in euphemisms like "feeling God's presence" and "making an emotional connection." While these are important aspects of faith, they don't exist exclusive of knowledge. What's more, a lack of knowledge of the Truth often leads to beliefs that run contrary to the Bible. But is that truly the religion acting as an opiate? I say no. Rather, sinful nature rears its ugly head in the form of laziness.

I've never put much stock in Marx. I'm happy to conclude here that his thoughts on religion were just as flawed as his economic system.