TWO DANGEROUS POWERS

Raperas should think about the dangers posed by two powers all through out human history – political and religious powers.

There is a major similarity between the two – it requires the unthinking support of the masses. This support may be obtained either through compulsion or through propaganda or indoctrination or usually by both.

In the case of politics, depending on the maturity level of the citizens and the nature of the political system, compulsion is done though the legal system. All kinds of laws are enacted to ensure that power concentrates in the hands of the select few controlling elites. Any conduct which undermines this power base is translated as “illegal” or against “national interest”. History shows that citizens are easily culled into submission for long periods of time until events naturally overtake.

In a “democracy” opinions are shaped through controlled media and deliberate perpetuation of the people’s ignorance on important issues affecting them. Distractions from the real issues are achieved by providing “sweeteners” and a sense of well-being. Dogs of media are bred to do the spinning for the power elites for crumbs thrown in their direction. And of course for the sense of being in the corridors of power. Media are accessories to the politician’s solidification of power.

“Enemies of the people” are created either aboard or locally to enable the people to rally behind the political elites. Where this is not possible, politicians will stoop very low to maintain power by using the age-old tested strategy of divide and rule. This works when humanity values are low in the society itself.

By divide and rule they will use issues to divide and rule the society. When people are busy fighting among themselves, the powerful elites are left to plunder the nation’s wealth and solidify their power. Hence, income differentials are created and then made into an issue. Race, religion, different political parties, etc. etc are created and spun.

But can the people really complain? After all, the leaders they get are a reflection of them, as a collective.

Religious leaders by the various names – ulama, rabbi, priests, sami, samiyar, guru, etc, etc and the various fancy dresses they adorn are equally dangerous. Their main objective is not God but the maintenance of their “sacred” position and the power that they hold over the lives and minds of their followers. Human history has shown the bloodshed, cruelty, division, and misery perpetrated by these religious leaders. Looking at all these events, it is hard to conclude that they are divine or spiritual.

They will make religion so complex that you would then require their services to explain it back to you. Thereafter they will become "experts" and you the lay sheep. ONCE you accept this position, they will pervade you life except where you need real, tangible help.

Religion sells and the priests are the best marketing agents. Look. It has become an industry. They use (and perpetuate) ignorance, fear, doubtful concepts of “sacredness’ to solidify their power. It is not possible to discuss rationally with them because they have devised the most effective strategy – to disagree with them is to disagree with God. Hence you are blasphemous. The power of these priests come largely from the unthinking followers that they have managed to build up.

Many do not realize that they have given up God-given liberties in the name of religion. Many are willing to dispense with logic and common sense in the name of religion. In other words, all you got to do is believe and the priests or the religious experts will tell you what to do next. This is what I call total power.

I will never underestimate the power of the religious priests because they can unleash frenzied followers to do all sorts of thing “in the name of God and religion”.

But as always, they are a reflection of us, as a collective.

Raperas should be forever mindful of these groups – politicians and religious leaders. Both will do anything to stay in power, including sacrificing the people. They are dangerous. Do not enter into their trickery with your minds closed.

Think about this.