what does this mean
I'm reading this book about a totalitarian society and they have a poster in the story that says "Strength through Purity Purity Through Faith" I don't understand what it means though. Maybe your opinion
Eutrusca
13-02-2006, 04:51
I'm reading this book about a totalitarian society and they have a poster in the story that says "Strength through Purity Purity Through Faith" I don't understand what it means though. Maybe your opinion
Um ... that your faith ( in the government? ) will make you pure, and that being pure will make you strong.
The Nazz
13-02-2006, 04:56
It certainly has theological overtones. The thrust seems to be that in order to be strong, you must be pure, and in order to be pure, you must have faith. Now, in a totalitarian society, strength is the most coveted attribute, so if you set up a system where strength is garnered via faith, then the ultimate power is vested in the church.
At least that's what I get out of it.
That's sound right there The Nazz.
Sarkhaan
13-02-2006, 05:27
It certainly has theological overtones. The thrust seems to be that in order to be strong, you must be pure, and in order to be pure, you must have faith. Now, in a totalitarian society, strength is the most coveted attribute, so if you set up a system where strength is garnered via faith, then the ultimate power is vested in the church.
At least that's what I get out of it.
I'd change one part of that interpretation...but I suppose that it would have more to do with the context of the quote.
Rather than saying ultimate power is vested in the church, I think it is taking the religious and applying it to government. Kinda the communist idea of getting rid of religion so people can only worship the government...you should have your faith in those who rule you. this will make you pure, and in the purity, powerful.
The Nazz
13-02-2006, 05:33
I'd change one part of that interpretation...but I suppose that it would have more to do with the context of the quote.
Rather than saying ultimate power is vested in the church, I think it is taking the religious and applying it to government. Kinda the communist idea of getting rid of religion so people can only worship the government...you should have your faith in those who rule you. this will make you pure, and in the purity, powerful.
I see where you're going with this, and that certainly could be the situation, but in the end, it's still a form of theology--it's just a matter of what you're worshiping. I guess I'm saying that the core concept is the same, whether it's a church or the state. Perhaps the reason I thought of the church as the embodiment of the state is because I've had Nehemiah Scudder on the mind lately. Okay, for the last four years or so.
PasturePastry
13-02-2006, 05:33
I'm reading this book about a totalitarian society and they have a poster in the story that says "Strength through Purity Purity Through Faith" I don't understand what it means though. Maybe your opinion
The one thing that can cause people to falter and lead them to make half-hearted efforts is doubt. When one is free of doubt, one's thoughts are considered pure. The way to free one's self of doubt is by developing faith in the ideas that one holds dear.
I suppose in the case of a totalitarian society, it would be faith in ideas that someone else tells you to hold dear.
The shorter version of the poster would be "Trust us. We're your government."
Ashmoria
13-02-2006, 05:48
purity is sexual purity
your faith (in god? in the system? in big brother?) makes you want to maintain your sexual purity, meaning virginity. the denial of sexual urges brings you strength-- an old wives tale that suggested that denying yourself gave you a competitive edge.
society is made stronger through the focusing of sexual energy into societal conformity.
Sarkhaan
13-02-2006, 05:57
I see where you're going with this, and that certainly could be the situation, but in the end, it's still a form of theology--it's just a matter of what you're worshiping. I guess I'm saying that the core concept is the same, whether it's a church or the state. Perhaps the reason I thought of the church as the embodiment of the state is because I've had Nehemiah Scudder on the mind lately. Okay, for the last four years or so.
ahhh...i getcha
as for having Nehemiah Scudder on the mind...English professor much? lol
The Nazz
13-02-2006, 06:03
ahhh...i getcha
as for having Nehemiah Scudder on the mind...English professor much? lol
Nah--just an old school Heinlein fan. The English professor part of my mind is dealing with Walker Percy and Malcolm Gladwell primarily right now.
The Nazz
13-02-2006, 06:04
purity is sexual purity
your faith (in god? in the system? in big brother?) makes you want to maintain your sexual purity, meaning virginity. the denial of sexual urges brings you strength-- an old wives tale that suggested that denying yourself gave you a competitive edge.
society is made stronger through the focusing of sexual energy into societal conformity.
That's the part I forgot--the repression of sexuality. It's a fundamental part of any totalitarian society.
Sarkhaan
13-02-2006, 06:09
Nah--just an old school Heinlein fan. The English professor part of my mind is dealing with Walker Percy and Malcolm Gladwell primarily right now.
good times. I'm stuck on applying S&M to the Wife of Bath...and my prof loves it. I swear she has a side job in a brothel.
Oh, and seeing performances of Romeo and Juliet that manage to use Usher - Yeah! and make it work. well.
The Squeaky Rat
13-02-2006, 07:58
I'm reading this book about a totalitarian society and they have a poster in the story that says "Strength through Purity Purity Through Faith" I don't understand what it means though. Maybe your opinion
The government is sending the message: you must believe whatever we say, even if it does not seem to make sense - and then happyness/strength/etc will come.
"Trust us".