Religions develop theologies. Coming from the word ‘theo,’ meaning ‘God,’ theologies refer to the doctrines and beliefs related to a particular religion’s interpretations of the role of God, his avatars and priests in people’s daily affairs. But it doesn’t take much to see that in our world, there are non-religious gods too, such as the ‘gods’ of ultranationalism, totalitarianism and capitalism. The ‘gods’ of such ideologies, dogmas and other secular beliefs also have their hidden theologies, avatars, temples and worshippers. These topics may be secular, but they often command the same kind of worship and fervor in people as a religious god. Secular topics that are committed to with a theological energy can be called ‘secular theologies.’ They fill our world today.

Take ultranationalism, for example: The ’theology’ of ultranationalism encompasses beliefs about the superiority of one’s ‘tribe and land’, such that one is willing to give one’s and take life for it. And the accompanying xenophobic and anti-immigrant sentiments are similar to a religious antipathy towards non-believers who are believed to burn in hell because they are not part of ‘us’.

In capitalist ‘theology’, the ultimate ‘god’ is money and wealth, banks are temples, and the daily ritual of calculating the value of funds and investments is like a source of one’s salvation (and those who don’t have this belief would be damned and shall perish in this purely materialistic world!!).

In totalitarian ’theology’, the state and heads of government are the supreme, infallible ‘gods’ to be obeyed, with ceremonies venerating the leaders looking remarkably like a religiously worshipping cult.

Militarism also comprises its own ‘theology’, preaching the enlistment of the youth and domination through military might. The military avatars to be obeyed are the generals, the temples and rituals are the military bases, and the doctrine of reward and punishment is either victory and heroism or defeat and death – some slanted version of heaven and hell.

Thus, we can see that these and other secular theologies have their secular ‘gods’ with corresponding ‘temples’ and ‘rituals’ in secular society, perhaps more subtle than religious ones but arguably no less powerful. Just like a religion, the adherents of dogmatic secular beliefs in modern times follow these ‘theologies’ that involve worshipping a beloved greater than themselves, such as tribe, wealth or political and military heroes.

These and similar theologies are to be scrutinized for the damage and oppression they cause to our emotional, psychological and social health. Liberation by seeing these theologies for what they are – that possess the mind and behavior and are rarely questioned or challenged.

Do we control these secular theologies, or do such theologies control us?

(head profile photo attribution © captainvector, 123RF Free Images )