The New Religion

This is from In the Woods, which I've finally gotten around to reading (hi, Meg! Thanks for sending). I think it's funny (tragic?), because this novel takes place in Ireland. But I'm glad (frightened?) to know it's a world thing, and not just an American thing. The following is a conversation between two cops.

"I was thinking of the people who make religion out of something completely different. Like money -- actually, that's the nearest thing the government has to an ideology, and I'm not talking about bribes. Nowadays it's not just unfortunate if you have a low-paid job, have you noticed? It's actually irresponsible: you're not a good member of society, you're being very, very naughty not to have a big house and a fancy car."

"But if anyone asks for a raise, they're being very, very naughty to threaten their employer's profit margin, after everything he's done for the economy."

"Exactly. If you're not rich, you're a lesser being who shouldn't have the gall to expect a living wage from the decent people who are."

"The other big religion these days is bodies. All those patronizing ads and news reports about smoking and drinking and fitness. But those reports and stuff aren't just saying things are unhealthy -- they're saying they're morally wrong. Like you're somehow a better person, spiritually, if you have the right body-fat percentage and exercise for an hour a day -- and there's an awful condescending set of ads where smoking isn't just a stupid thing to do, it's literally the devil. People need a moral code, to help them make decisions. All this bio-yogurt virtue and financial self-righteousness are just filling the gap in the market. But the problem is that it's all backwards. It's not that you do the right thing and hope it pays off; the morally right thing is by definition the thing that gives the biggest payoff."

Amen, kids...