"¿la democracia es nuestra religión?"
I found this quote from Paul Auster, an American poet, to be fascinating and slightly disturbing.
I decided to share the quote in it's Spanish translation so that we can enjoy discussing it's translation/meaning as well as whether or not we agree with the quote.
Feel free to expound in English or Spanish and share freely your opinion. Our purpose is to explore the fallacy or truth we find in the quote not criticize other's opinion.
So enough already! Here's the quote...
Para los que no tenemos creencias, la democracia es nuestra religión.
Paul Auster (1947-?) Novelista y poeta estadounidense.
5 Answers
I know that I have a hard time putting my faith in politicians these days, what about you?
I have nearly zero faith in politicians, but not because everyone is evil, but because people respond to images, and images are bought, not by telling the truth, but by spending a lot of money on public image consultants, so the more the money, the better the chances of ruling. Therefore, those who rule do so because they have the money, so money rules.
This, of course, is an oversimplification (the truth is even worse!), because politics has become nearly a science that exploits every single perception and reasoning flaw inherent to men, to the point that only money and influence decides what future awaits us, which means that the richest people on Earth are the true rulers of the planet, and we are just their puppets.
The alternative is no democracy, which, if you know a bit about history, is a slow but certain painful death. I rather stand politicians' rubbish than being enslaved by some anti-democratic tyrant who doesn't even give "hope" a chance.
I believe a religion can be anything in which you earnestly believe. It doesn´t have to be an "established" or "excepted" religion, so why not democracy?
re·li·gion ? ?/r??l?d??n/ Show Spelled[ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA –noun 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. 2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion. 5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith. 6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice. 7. religions, Archaic . religious rites. 8. Archaic . strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2011.
This sounds like my type of person.
I am both an atheist and a stout defender of democracy.
I wouldnt say its my religion, but hey, hes probably just putting it poeticaly (considering he is a poet and all)
I know I picked both taboo subjects, religion and politics, but does anyone else have some input?
I know that I have a hard time putting my faith in politicians these days, what about you?
It says For those of us that don't have (religous) "beliefs", democracy is our religion (or our religion is democracy however you wanna phrase it).
So many religious types these days, but I try not to espouse my political beliefs. Although it does seem weird if you're a socialist or something, I guess he implies everyone believes in democracy, or God, or one or the other and not both. I think it's a pretty childish viewpoint but then, maybe he means something other than democracy.
