The New Idolatry: it is not merely pagan, but demoniac.

July 23, 2003

by Kundali dasa

Inadvertently, people have slipped into a new form of idolatry, one that is not recognizable, because it has no hint of the old-fashioned, yet more familiar, paganism. The new version hides under the covers of the mainstream religions-Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism (and, dare we say, Krsna consciousness?).

The new idolatry hides there, but it is as virulent and evil-minded as the old one, perhaps worse, for it is as anti-Christian, anti-Islam, anti-Judaism, anti-Hinduism, anti-Buddhist as paganism ever was, but it is much more difficult to spot. And it can make one a victim while one believes one is being singled out for special mercy by the Deity. Indeed it is not merely pagan, but demoniac.

To appreciate this new idolatry, we must define the term. In the new context, idolatry no longer means the worship of many gods instead of the one God. It also does not mean the worship of one God who happens to be the wrong one. It is an attitude of abstractification of all that is alive.

The worshipper in this irreligion submits to things, and in the process negates himself and the self of others. Then everyone becomes a thing.

We must keep in mind that an idol is a master that does not liberate the servitor, rather it dominates. The worshiper makes himself a submissive prisoner before the lifeless deity and voluntarily renounces all liberation. And man becomes deadened in the process. Then this hard-hearted, cold being wreaks havoc in human society.

These idolaters may not worship traditional pagan deities (in fact the look down on them); but they worship them under different names. This is how Erich Fromm summed up the worshippers of today:

Today's idols are the objects of systematically cultivated greed: for money, power, lust, glory, food, and drink. Man worships the means and ends of this greed: Production, consumption, military might, business, the state. The stronger he makes his idols, the poorer he becomes, the emptier he feels. Instead of joy, he seeks thrill; instead of life, he loves a mechanized world of gadgets; instead of growth, he seeks wealth; instead of being, he is interested in having and using.

Consequently, today's religious soul is depressed, anxious, despairing. Life is not interesting. It does not make much sense, and it has long ceased to give any joy.

These idolaters are in the guise of the mainstream Christian, the average Jew, the faithful Moslem, the pious Hindu, the devoted Vaisnava; yet they idolize mammon. To them, religion is a means to realize their greed, to approach their true idols-power, glory and so on.

Do we need to recognize to be able to recognize the re-invented idolater? If so, how?

First of all it is important to be able to focus the eye of scrutiny on one's own self. It is important to be able to self-examine. Honestly. Frankly. And this is not easy. Quite often, especially in the neophyte stage, we need to seek the counsel or perhaps shelter of another who is more experienced than ourselves on this path of buddhi-yoga.

Therefore, it is necessary for us to be willing and able to look carefully, critically, at others so we can make a proper choice and not get cheated. Thus it is equally important to be able to focus the eye of scrutiny on others as it is to put it on oneself. After all, the re-invented idolater of today comes disguised as a religious man. It is definitely in our interest to have some guidelines for recognizing them so we can avoid them. Or, like the blind leading the blind, we all end up in a ditch.

So, the popular notion that we only look at ourselves and not at others turns out to be groundless. In reality, the candle of enlightenment lights all directions. And that process begins the moment I take responsibility to live in that light. Why put off enlightenment for later?

The re-invented idolater is the same as the mundane man who is dressed as a Vaisnava, the same as the alienated person, who has lost touch with conscience, has become estranged.

They may try to disguise their greed, but it will come out sooner or later. One useful technique is looking at their overall history, certain events are prominent over the course of time which can lead one to a clear conclusion about the person in question. One can see if greed-in the form of being obsessed with money, power, lust, glory, food, and drink, or power over others-features prominently in that history.

One can learn to distinguish between personality and character, and develop the knack of looking at character, at the inner person, and thereby determine if one is confronted by an idolater or a sincere Vaisnava, who is free of ulterior motive, or is working in that direction.

To do all this one must overcome fear of looking behind the mask that people present to us. A good inspiration for overcoming such fear is to consider the disaster that can result if one fails to look. Hare Krsna.

Your servant,

Kundali dasa