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Perfect illustration of Plato's "Noble Lie" and idea of "Civil Religion"

posted 9 months ago by HerrStrauss (122)
4 replies | jump to latest

If you are familiar with Plato's Noble Lie and tradition of civil religion, this is the best illustration of it. The old ape knows that their religion is a bunch of lies but subscribes to the idea that a noble lie or a salutary myth is necessary for the health of society and wants to prevent the truth becoming known to the public. He is a wise atheist who pretends to believe in the religion of his society simply because that religion is salutary and serves public interest.

[–] Otter (24464) 9 months ago

I think there's a lot of that, in any society where religious belief is mandatory.

And there's certainly a lot of that among America's conservative politicians, the kind who rely on conservative religious voters to keep their jobs...

[–] HerrStrauss (122) 9 months ago

I am not sure that American conservatives are always as cynical. They often really believe in nonsensical religious ideas

[–] Otter (24464) 9 months ago

Yes, I would guess that the majority of American conservative religious people are true believers, although there are some people in their circles who don't really believe, but who don't have the nerve to come out as non-believers.

Among politicians, though, I am absolutely convinced that most of them are unbelievers who use religious to manipulate the conservative voting bloc.

[–] Seperatrix (1092) 7 months ago

Serving public interest, at times perhaps.

Lining pocket books and serving ones own bottom line is at the heart of a great deal of this manipulation oftentimes.