Ideologies and Religions: What’s the difference?

“Without God all things are permitted.”

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The human mind is just as beautiful as it is complex. It is the kiln from which the most moving works of beauty or the darkest works of malevolence can emanate. Every human being’s mind is like a snowflake, totally unique to them, containing their own set of passions, fascinations, and tragedy. Although individual personalities may differ, people relate themselves to reality in terms of a story, viewing themselves as a character in a living drama. A story that has an arc, a purpose, and a meaning that all work together, moving forward towards a climactic ending. These living stories have two distinct features: a set of values (morals, ethics, etc.) and a vision of a perfected reality (a paradise, heaven, or redeemed world). There are two types of narrative frameworks that the modern mind will use to understand the world and its place in it: Religions and Ideologies. We are going to briefly investigate the differences between these two types, examining the blessings and curses that come along with them.

Think of Religions and Ideologies as members of the same family. Each are composed of (1) a set of values and (2) a vision of the perfected world. It is important to note that the only difference between them is the sequence that these two pillars follow. Religions follow their set of values as the means to bring about their vision of paradise. Ideologies are the sequential opposite, they implement their vision of paradise, by any means necessary, in order to usher in their value system.

Religions

Religions are as old as civilization itself.  They have provided humanity with the ability to cope and thrive in the face of life’s hard facts. A religion is composed of two main characteristics (1) a set of values, teachings, and/or ethics and (2) a vision of a perfected world, think about Heaven, Nirvana, Paradise, etc. The set of values and teachings are followed as the means to achieving a perfect world. It is this sequence that distinguishes a religion from an ideology. In a way, the religion’s set of values are an appetizer, a mere taste of the promised perfection to come.

Consider Christianity. When we submit our lives to the teachings of Jesus, living our lives as “little Christs”, we are engaged in the process of ushering in God’s Heavenly Kingdom, perfection or paradise. A life that follows the path laid out by the Lord, will not only experience redemption, but through their obedience, be a part of redemption’s process on Earth. This is the religious path to paradise.

Buddhism is another great religion of the world. It follows the teachings of the Buddha, who struggled with the imperfections and pain of existence. These things included death, disease, degradation, loss, and most of all suffering. He set out on a journey and discovered a path to enlightenment. Out of his compassion, he believed that this path must be made available to everyone on Earth. His teachings include the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path. An adherence to these teachings would eventually lead the follower to usher in Nirvana, in other words,  perfection or paradise.

Ideologies

Ideologies completely reverse the religious structure of belief. The pathway to ushering in their set of values is to first implement the perfected reality. Ideologies embrace the notion of, “the ends will justify the means” because an ideological set of values are not implemented until after the paradise has been ushered in. Step one is to impose the perfected reality by forcefully stamping out imperfection. Step two is to realize their values in the newly perfected order.

Marxism is one of the most influential ideologies of our day. It states that the solution to the world’s imperfections (inequality, oppression, etc.) is a swift implementation of paradise. Expedience is the only core tenant of an ideology at this stage. Remember that this paradise must be ushered in by any means necessary, the only value that must be followed in its implementation is speed. History has shown that the quickest way to usher in an ideological vision of the way the world should be, is by means of a totalitarian state. “Crack some eggs” as they say. The state becomes a high priest wielding a sword and demanding conformity. There is no moral framework or value system because the implementation of paradise must come first. The ideologue becomes possessed by a lust as they yearn to usher in the perfect. Bloodshed becomes an acceptable price.

Conclusion

The most important reason that we, as civilized people, must be concerned about the consequences of religions and ideologies is that life is immeasurably precious. The last couple of centuries have been the story of Ideology’s replacement of Religion as supreme ruler over the soul of the west. Ideologies run rampant, possessing the feeble minds of the masses. People feel justified in taking the life of another in order to usher in their vision of heaven. Ironically, they are ushering in a Hell. The only solution to the ideological turmoil that has ensnared our world is for us to take responsibility. To be a force for good in our little spheres of influence. Set a goal to leave your piece of the world better than the way you found it. Find religion, embrace it, live it, and encourage others to do the same.