Episode 46 – The Religion of the State

What is religion? What is worship? Can a person participate in more than one religion? Is the state a religion? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck? Bobby and Jordan discuss the high priesthood that has manifest itself in our oligarchy controlled government and media.

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Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile
Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-42

We know they are lying, they know they are lying, they know we know they are lying, we know they know we know they are lying, but they are still lying.
Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn

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One Comment

Whitaker October 28, 2021

It was “Dr Nick”, not me who called Sanjay one of CNN’s high priests. I like the label though.
Good episode. Just read this and I think it applies to the state being a religious institution:

“Symbolism that is intertwined with religion is carefully inserted into the garb, rituals, and ceremonies of government and its officials: sacraments in the form of parades, ceremonies and uniforms, emblems as flags, badges, medals, coats of arms, and national seals, hymns as national anthems, chants and pledges, Sunday school as fireside chats and patriotic speeches, and sacrifice as military service and conscription. These play upon the emotions of religious people and can lead them to believe that immoral acts are virtuous. War (mass murder) becomes ‘noble.’ Paying taxes and obeying unjust laws become ‘duties.’ Saluting the flag and pledging allegiance become ‘sacred oaths,’ questioning authority becomes a ‘vice,’ and tattling on neighbors becomes a ‘virtue.'”
https://www.bomperspectives.com/2021/10/gadiantons-and-state.html