Opium of the people

[Spiderman]

"Religion is the opium of the people" is one of the most frequently paraphrased statements of German philosopher and economist Karl Marx. It was translated from the German original, "Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes" and is often rendered as "religion... is the opiate of the masses."

The full quote from Karl Marx translates as: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people". Often quoted only in part, the interpretation of the metaphor in its context has received much less attention.[1]
Opium of the people - Wikipedia

So, you heard me state a longing for cancer and death... that was because I went through a two week period without this "opium of the people/masses".

It was hell ... I lost faith for two weeks, stopped burning incense and candles, stopped praying, relapsed on porn (ick...yuck!), had no energy for anything, and it was hell.

I don't know how people survive without this drug...at one time I enjoyed video games, music, sex (with sluts), movies, socializing, alcohol, drugs, and relationships, and had no need for faith.

Now, I have lost all interest in those activities, and in fact they have become bitter, unenjoyable, or annoying.

Ive reached this new phase where faith is absolutely essential. For whatever reason.

I didn't know how essential it was till I lost it.

All I could do without it is sleep, lay around, and long for death...there was literally nothing that was enjoyable...

If you have no need for faith, that is understandable, cos I went through that...but now, holy s***, am I amazed at how impossible life is without it (for some of us).

Not sure why I lost the faith, just couldn't really pray...there was just no faith there, and so prayer becomes quite difficult (impossible) without faith.

And it literally left me completely incapacitated...has anyone experienced this?

Perhaps Religion is "the opium of the people"... for some reason that drug has become so necessary, that without it, everything is a joyless, living hell, where nothing is enjoyable, and the only desire is to cease to exist, and passionate hatred for life!

Seriously, while in that funk, the most beautiful wealthy woman could have come on to me, told me i was the sexiest thing she ever saw, wined and dined me, taken me out on a yacht, treated me like her helpless child, taken me to live in a mansion,...whatever..., and I would have been unhappy and thought "she and i are just going to get ugly and die, and take none of this with us. I just want to hurry up and die, to get the inevitable over with"...

I got the faith back this evening...phew! I hope I don't lose my opium again!

Is this "opium" a healthy addiction?

 

[Sunstone]

I think, taken in context, Marx has a point: Religion is often something that people turn to who have nothing else to turn to. It can, in that sense, become a substitute for living, especially in any passionate sense.

Beyond that, as the statement is usually taken, there's also truth to it. For so many people, religion is what keeps them from rising up to overthrow their oppressors.

Nothing that I said should be taken to mean I see no positive value in religion. It's that I think anything can be abused, including religion.

 

[Spiderman]

While trapped in this opium (faith) deprivation, even the heros I worship, like @BSM1, @Deidre, and @Revoltingest, wouldn't have been able to cheer me up with their typical gems, wisdom, and proverbs...

... that's a bad place I NEVER want to return to

 

[Revoltingest]

While trapped in this opium (faith) deprivation, even the heros I worship, like @BSM1, @Deidre, and @Revoltingest, wouldn't have been able to cheer me up with their typical gems, wisdom, and proverbs...

... that's a bad place I NEVER want to return to
View attachment 22543

We really need a <sympathy> frubal.
I had to settle for an encouraging <heart> one.
May you some day find peace.

 

[sojourner]

The full quote from Karl Marx translates as: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people". Often quoted only in part, the interpretation of the metaphor in its context has received much less attention

I think this is spot on until he gets to the part about opium. Religion is a sigh of the oppressed; but it’s a sigh of hope. It is the container for the soul of a soulless condition — as you found out. It’s not opium, it’s medicine (in the Indigenous sense). It’s not a drug that numbs us, it’s food meant to nourish us. It’s really too bad that people have taken this beautiful medicine and turned it into an opioid just to gain power. I think you weren’t in withdrawal; you were malnourished. I think you’re not addicted; you’re in need of food.

 

[sojourner]

I think, taken in context, Marx has a point: Religion is often something that people turn to who have nothing else to turn to. It can, in that sense, become a substitute for living, especially in any passionate sense.

Beyond that, as the statement is usually taken, there's also truth to it. For so many people, religion is what keeps them from rising up to overthrow their oppressors.

Nothing that I said should be taken to mean I see no positive value in religion. It's that I think anything can be abused, including religion.

I respectfully disagree in certain cases.
For the oppressed in Central America, for blacks in the West and in South Africa, for Jews, Natives, and anyone else who’s been oppressed, religion is what has given these people strength to rise up against oppression. The ending of Apartheid, the civil rights movement, liberation theology — all are religiously motivated.

For many, religion brings deeper life — not an escape from life. Let’s not generalize and throw the baby out with the bath water. Yes, religion has become corrupted and abused. But the pure product is still out there.

 

[Sunstone]

I respectfully disagree in certain cases.
For the oppressed in Central America, for blacks in the West and in South Africa, for Jews, Natives, and anyone else who’s been oppressed, religion is what has given these people strength to rise up against oppression. The ending of Apartheid, the civil rights movement, liberation theology — all are religiously motivated.

For many, religion brings deeper life — not an escape from life. Let’s not generalize and throw the baby out with the bath water. Yes, religion has become corrupted and abused. But the pure product is still out there.

You're quite right. And as anyone familiar with my thinking knows, I take a more balanced view than my post implied. Thank you for the heads up!

 

[sojourner]

You're quite right. And as anyone familiar with my thinking knows, I take a more balanced view than my post implied. Thank you for the heads up!

I know you’re balanced, and I appreciate your studied viewpoints. I really was just using your post as a jumping off place. Thanks for posting!

 

[Deidre]

Just wondering - What do you mean by faith deprivation?

 

[Spiderman]

Just wondering - What do you mean by faith deprivation?

I was simply unable to have faith in God or supernatural spirits that could hear me or look out for me... I believed it was still possible they existed but felt totally abandoned or despised by them...and in that state, simply could not pray...

It felt like all the faith I had hitherto had, was complete delusion...

 

[Spiderman]

I think this is spot on until he gets to the part about opium. Religion is a sigh of the oppressed; but it’s a sigh of hope. It is the container for the soul of a soulless condition — as you found out. It’s not opium, it’s medicine (in the Indigenous sense). It’s not a drug that numbs us, it’s food meant to nourish us. It’s really too bad that people have taken this beautiful medicine and turned it into an opioid just to gain power. I think you weren’t in withdrawal; you were malnourished. I think you’re not addicted; you’re in need of food.

What's wrong with opium? If used for pain relief and no overdoses or withdrawal symptoms?

 

[Sleeppy]

What is it that you pray for?

 

[Spiderman]

What is it that you pray for?

Enlightenment, obedience to God and heavenly beings, abstinence from porn and impurities, self-discipline, early death in a state of grace, the enlightenment and salvation of all people, I pray for Trump and politicians to do the will of God, wisdom, prudence, understanding, help making good choices, the gift of healing, prophecy, and infilling of the holy spirit.

 

[Sleeppy]

Enlightenment, obedience to God and heavenly beings, abstinence from porn and impurities, self-discipline, early death in a state of grace, the enlightenment and salvation of all people, I pray for Trump and politicians to do the will of God, wisdom, prudence, understanding, help making good choices, the gift of healing, prophecy, and infilling of the holy spirit.

You and I are a lot alike. If you will, consider the implications of fatalism. There is a great wealth of wisdom and peace to be had, if you consider it.

But, even so, I can tell you that you are very wise. And, the Holy Spirit is raising you up, even in those times where you did not know, or believe. God is understanding of all, and will do what is necessary.

 

[Deidre]

I was simply unable to have faith in God or supernatural spirits that could hear me or look out for me... I believed it was still possible they existed but felt totally abandoned or despised by them...and in that state, simply could not pray...

It felt like all the faith I had hitherto had, was complete delusion...

Ok, I see. Are you still a practicing Catholic?

 

[Spiderman]

Ok, I see. Are you still a practicing Catholic?

I'm catholic, Shinto, Buddhist, and Pentecostal.

I go to daily mass, pray rosaries, and liturgy of the hours, but my room is a Shinto shrine. Shinto faith seems to honor and pray to the dead (kami/spirits) most.

 

[1213]

...
Is this "opium" a healthy addiction?

Interesting question, especially, if we notice this:

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:31-32

Jesus gives freedom. Is freedom same as religion, or drug, I think it is the opposite.

But freedom is not what the rulers of the earth want you to have.

 

[Deidre]

I'm catholic, Shinto, Buddhist, and Pentecostal.

I go to daily mass, pray rosaries, and liturgy of the hours, but my room is a Shinto shrine. Shinto faith seems to honor and pray to the dead (kami/spirits) most.

I’m glad you’ve branched out.

 

[Spiderman]

I’m glad you’ve branched out.

I discovered Shintoism about three months ago and just fell in love with it...it is the state Religion of Japan, and Japan still has an Emperor who is considered the highest Shinto priest, and the Japanese Emperor is the oldest surviving Ancient Monarchy/Dynasty...

Shinto practitioners keep shrines to deceased loved ones and pray to them and their ancestors. They believe, when a family member dies, they become a family Kami (Spirit), who can be contacted and who protects and looks out for family and devotees.

Shinto faith keeps "books of souls" and shrines for millions of war dead who died serving the Emperor. They believe their shrines are dwelling places of the Kami (Spirits). It used to be, before Kamikaze pilots went on a mission, they would tell eachother, "We shall see each other again at Yasukuni Shrine" (Shrine where the war dead (millions of them) are enshrined.)

They also keep all their Emperors buried in special tombs and venerate the "Imperial Spirits" who are believed to be descendants of the "Sun Goddess".

I also practice native American and Eskimo Shamanism or indigenous "medicine man" practices.

I like Hinduism and the Sadhu and Aghori asceticism and philosophy as well.

Take what you find enriching from any religion, or spirituality, is my recommendation

As you know, just as Hindus worship cobras, I worship spiders! Spiderman!

So, Deidre Marie, what would it take for you to hold a BIG spider?

You are like a Goddess to me in every way, but you hate spiders! That is like the worst abomination EVER! I forgive you!

 

[Spiderman]

Ya know @Deidre...years ago, when I was homeless, I had a Tarantula named Deidre Was my most prized possession...

Some black guy was holding her and dropped her on the sidewalk...she broke a leg and bled to death

I used to let everybody hold my spiders to overcome arachnophobia...It is great but I stopped doing that, and now my spideys live a lot longer...