Brave New World: Religion

Term Paper Title	Brave New World: Religion
# of Words	666
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	2.66

Brave New World: Religion

Thesis: Man's need for answers to questions that cannot be solved through
known applications of science and technology has resulted  in the widespread
belief in religion.


I.   Purpose
Elimination of stress
Addiction to soma
       1.  Rioting addicts
2.  Religious fanatics

II   Characteristics
Rituals
Sacrifices
Offerings
      B.  Gods
Interpreters
Pope
Dali Lama
Mustapha Mond
      D. Writings

III. Function
Explaining unknown
Philosophy
Supernatural
Providing aid
Sanctioning conduct
Morals
Traditions
Delegating decisions

                             The Basis of Religion

     In the novel "Brave New World" civilized society lives in a world of science and
technology. Major changes have occurred during the future; Utopia now revolves a religion of
drugs and sex. God and the cross have been replaced by Ford and the symbol T, the founder of the
age of machines. Instead of Sunday church, members now attend solidarity services where
morals and tradition are not learned, but rather faith is taught in the belief of hallucinations
produced by a substance known as "soma." Soma has effectively replaced the belief in a higher
being by its elimination of problems and stress resulting in a lack of imagination , creativity, or "soul."
Yet religion can still be found in today's society because of man's continuing need for answers to
questions that cannot be solved by science or technology.
     Religion can be regarded as the beliefs and patterns of behavior by which humans try to
deal with problems and stress that cannot be solved through practical applications of science or
technology. "Brave New World" deals with stress by its elimination of problems through the use of
soma. As shown in the novel, the people have been addicted to soma as to the point of rioting when
their supply is threatened. Their attitude can be related to religious fanatics who accomplish violent
actions in the right of their religion. Present day society turns to lesser forms of expression through
weekly attendance to their place of worship in hopes of a stress-free life.  To overcome these
limitations, society turns to the manipulation of supernatural be...

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