Critique of Religion in 1984

 This blog task is given by Barad Dilipsir. Teacher's Blog


Here the summary of two videos. Let's discuss the religious critique of George Orwell's novel '1984'.

Video 1


In this video, the idea delves into the profound themes of power and religion in George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984.” God mentioned 8 times in the novel.The central quote discussed, “God is power,” serves as a pivotal point of analysis, highlighting Orwell’s critique of both religious belief and totalitarian control. It said by O' Brien in chapter 3. He said " We are the priests of power. God is power." The character O’Brien, who represents the party’s manipulation of truth and reality, discussing how the party replaces God with the worship of power. The video explores how the party exerts control over the minds and bodies of citizens, enforcing a belief system that venerates Big Brother, akin to a deity. Through a detailed examination of key passages, Here illustration of the ways in which Orwell critiques the dangers of totalitarianism, the corrupting nature of power, and the loss of individual autonomy in a society where political control usurps spiritual belief. In character 4 O’Brien said after tourchuring to Winston Smith , " Freedom is Slavery.  Two and two make five".

Highlights

1. Reinterpretation of God

  • The phrase "God is power" reflects the Party’s attempt to reshape the concept of divinity.
  • Instead of a religious or moral deity, the Party itself becomes the supreme authority, demanding absolute obedience.
  • This reinterpretation serves to replace traditional faith with a secular, political worship, reinforcing the idea that power is the ultimate force governing life.
  • The Party’s ideology eradicates any spiritual or moral higher power, ensuring that all reverence and submission are directed toward the ruling regime.

2. Winston Smith’s Rebellion

  • Winston represents the resilience of human nature and the innate desire for freedom.
  • Despite the overwhelming surveillance and oppression, he seeks truth and individuality, refusing to fully submit to the Party’s doctrine.
  • His acts of defiance—writing in a diary, engaging in a forbidden love affair, and seeking out the Brotherhood—illustrate the human struggle against totalitarian control.
  • His ultimate downfall emphasizes the crushing power of the regime, showing how even the strongest dissenters can be broken.

3. Surveillance and Control

  • The Party employs constant surveillance through telescreens, hidden microphones, and informants to eliminate privacy.
  • Propaganda manipulates reality, ensuring citizens only receive information that aligns with Party ideology.
  • The Thought Police punish not just rebellious actions but rebellious thoughts, creating an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship.
  • This all-encompassing control serves to eliminate individuality and ensure absolute loyalty to Big Brother.

4. Doublethink

  • Doublethink is the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs simultaneously and accept both as true.
  • It allows the Party to rewrite history, alter facts, and demand unwavering loyalty from its citizens.
  • Examples include slogans like “War is Peace” and “Freedom is Slavery”, which force people to abandon logic and embrace paradoxes.
  • This mental manipulation ensures that people never question the Party, as their ability to think critically is systematically eroded.

5. Critique of Religion

  • Orwell’s work is seen as both a critique of totalitarian power and an exploration of religious worship.
  • The Party mirrors religious institutions by demanding faith, devotion, and unquestioning obedience from its followers.
  • Big Brother functions as a god-like figure, omnipresent and infallible, shaping reality for his subjects.
  • The novel suggests that blind faith—whether in a religious or political entity—can lead to oppression and the loss of individual freedom.

6. Mind Control

  • The Party seeks total control over thoughts, emotions, and memories, not just physical actions.
  • Newspeak, a restricted language, is designed to limit thought and prevent rebellion by eliminating words that express dissent.
  • Winston’s torture at the Ministry of Love reveals the Party’s goal: not just obedience, but genuine belief in its lies.
  • This psychological domination erases personal identity and reshapes reality, making resistance nearly impossible.

7. Consequences of Absolute Power

  • Orwell warns that unrestricted power leads to tyranny and societal decay.
  • The Party’s rule demonstrates how absolute authority results in oppression, suffering, and the erasure of individuality.
  • By eliminating free thought and independent will, society becomes stagnant and lifeless, ruled only by fear and propaganda.
  • The novel serves as a cautionary tale against authoritarianism, emphasizing the dangers of allowing any entity—political or religious—to hold unchecked power.
Key Insights

 Theological Implications: The assertion that “God is power” raises questions about the nature of authority and divinity in a totalitarian state. By equating power with divinity, Orwell critiques the mechanisms of control that replace genuine spiritual belief with a hollow veneration of power. The party, much like a god, demands absolute loyalty and obedience from its citizens, illustrating how political entities can manipulate religious sentiments to maintain control.

  • Human Spirit vs. Mechanistic Control: Winston Smith’s character embodies the struggle of the human spirit against dehumanization. His longing for truth and rebellion against the party signifies a deep-seated desire for freedom and individuality. Despite the party’s efforts to reduce him to a mechanical puppet, Winston’s innate humanity drives him to seek truth, suggesting that the human spirit possesses an inherent resistance to oppression.


  •  Societal Conditioning: The party’s ability to condition its citizens to accept contradictory statements, such as “freedom is slavery,” demonstrates the effectiveness of propaganda in shaping societal beliefs. This highlights Orwell’s commentary on how totalitarian regimes manipulate reality, forcing individuals to accept a constructed narrative that serves the interests of the ruling power.


  • The Role of Language: The manipulation of language in “1984,” particularly through Newspeak, serves as a tool for control. By limiting language, the party restricts thought, making it difficult for citizens to conceive of rebellion or dissent. This reflects the broader theme of how language can shape perception and reality, emphasizing the importance of linguistic freedom in preserving individual thought.


  •  Cycle of Power: The discussion on surveillance underscores the cyclical nature of power; as the party monitors its citizens, it reinforces its authority, creating a feedback loop of control and compliance. This perpetual observation instills fear and conformity, effectively erasing personal autonomy and encouraging individuals to internalize the party’s ideology.


  •  Historical Parallels: The video draws parallels between Orwell’s fictional society and contemporary political climates, suggesting that the tactics used by the party in “1984” can be observed in various forms of governance today. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the complacency of society in the face of overreach.


  • Warning Against Complacency: Finally, the video serves as a warning regarding the ease with which individuals can surrender their freedoms to a powerful entity. Orwell’s depiction of a society where citizens are complicit in their own oppression highlights the need for vigilance and resistance against authoritarianism, urging viewers to remain aware of the implications of power in their own lives.

In sum, the video provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate relationships between power, religion, and individual autonomy in Orwell’s “1984.” Through its exploration of key themes and concepts, it offers valuable insights into the nature of authority and the human spirit’s resilience against oppression.


Video 2


The video discusses George Orwell’s “1984” as a critique of religion, particularly focusing on Catholicism while drawing parallels to other religions. Although “1984” is predominantly recognized as a political satire, the argument is "Orwell’s work also serves as a religious critique, revealing the ways totalitarianism can mirror religious authority and control'. Through various elements in the novel, such as the structure of society, the concept of confession, and the omnipresence of Big Brother, Orwell’s writing reflects themes common in organized religion. This video highlights Orwell’s critical views of the Catholic Church, rooted in his personal experiences and political beliefs, suggesting that Orwell’s disdain for organized religion informs much of his writing. The analysis indicates that Orwell intended for readers to recognize these religious critiques within his narrative, ultimately positioning “1984” as a multifaceted exploration of power, control, and belief systems.

Highlights

George Orwell’s 1984 can be interpreted as a critique of organized religion, particularly Catholicism. The novel’s three superstates—Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia—can be seen as a parallel to the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, each competing for dominance while maintaining internal control over their followers. The Party’s confession system mirrors the sacramental practices of the Catholic Church, as citizens are forced to confess their “sins” (thoughtcrimes) under coercion, much like religious penance. Big Brother functions as a god-like figure, an omnipresent being who demands absolute loyalty, symbolizing a corrupted form of divine oversight. Additionally, the pyramidal structure of the Party reflects the concept of the Holy Trinity in Christianity, reinforcing hierarchical obedience and devotion. The infamous Room 101 can be likened to Dante’s Inferno, where individuals undergo extreme suffering as a means of purification and ultimate submission. Orwell’s personal disdain for the Church was influenced by its historical collaboration with authoritarian regimes, further shaping 1984 as both a political and religious critique.

Key Insights

  • Critique of Organized Religion: Orwell’s “1984” is not solely a political satire but also critiques organized religions, particularly Catholicism. The narrative’s portrayal of power dynamics and control reflects the authoritarian aspects of religious institutions, drawing parallels between the totalitarian regime and the Church’s authority. This multifaceted interpretation opens a broader discussion about the role of religion in society and governance.


  • Superstates and Abrahamic Religions: The novel’s three superstates—Oceania, Eurasia, and East Asia—can be equated with the three major Abrahamic religions. This comparison underscores the idea that just as these states are often in conflict, so too are the religions historically. This parallel prompts readers to reflect on how religious identities can lead to division and strife in society.


  •  Sacramental Confessions: The confession process depicted in “1984” resonates with the sacramental confessions of the Catholic Church. Characters like Winston undergo a ritualistic form of confession that mirrors religious penance, emphasizing the theme of control over individual morality and the loss of personal agency under a totalitarian regime.


  •  Big Brother as a Divine Watcher: The omnipresence of Big Brother serves as a stark reminder of divine oversight in religious contexts. The phrase “Big Brother is watching you” is reinterpreted as a perverse form of care, akin to a god watching over believers. This manipulation of language demonstrates how authoritarian regimes can distort religious language to enforce compliance and instill fear.


  •  Pyramidal Power Structures: The Party’s hierarchical structure reflects the religious concept of the Holy Trinity, suggesting an intertwining of political and religious authority. This analogy raises questions about the legitimacy of power derived from divine sanction versus that derived from political authority, highlighting the dangers of conflating the two.


  •  Room 101 and Inferno: The horrors of Room 101 resemble the purgatorial and infernal realms described in Dante’s works. This comparison illustrates the extreme measures taken by the regime to enforce conformity and purity, reminiscent of religious purification processes. The suffering endured in Room 101 symbolizes the lengths to which individuals are pushed to attain acceptance within a dogmatic system.


  •  Orwell’s Personal Disdain for the Church: Orwell’s criticism of the Catholic Church is informed by his personal experiences and political beliefs, particularly his observations during the Spanish Civil War, where the Church’s alignment with fascism solidified his negative views. This historical context provides insight into Orwell’s motivations and enhances the understanding of his work as a critique not only of totalitarianism but also of the complicity of religious institutions in political oppression.

Through these insights, the analysis of “1984” emerges as a significant exploration of the intersections between political power and religious authority, prompting readers to consider the implications of both in contemporary society. Orwell’s work serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for both politics and religion to become tools of oppression.

Conclusion

George Orwell’s 1984 is widely recognized as a critique of totalitarianism, but it can also be interpreted as a critique of organized religion, particularly Catholicism. The novel draws strong parallels between authoritarian political regimes and religious institutions, illustrating how both can use power to control thought, suppress dissent, and demand unwavering obedience.

By portraying Big Brother as an omnipresent, god-like figure, enforcing confession through the Thought Police, and structuring society in a hierarchical manner similar to religious institutions, Orwell highlights the ways in which totalitarian control mirrors religious authority. His concept of Thoughtcrime as sin, forced mental submission as religious indoctrination, and worship of the Party as faith suggests a broader warning—not just against political oppression, but against any system that demands absolute belief.

Orwell’s personal skepticism of religion and his disdain for oppressive institutions likely influenced this perspective. While 1984 is primarily read as a political warning, it also serves as a philosophical examination of power, control, and belief systems. The novel challenges readers to question not only political authority but also the dangers of blind faith—whether in government, religion, or ideology.

References :

   “God Is Power | 1984 | George Orwell.” YouTube, 21 Feb. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj29I_MU3cA.

    DoE-MKBU. “Critique of Religion | 1984 | George Orwell.” YouTube, 21 Feb. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh41QghkCUA.

     Barad, Dilip. 1984. 19 June 2021, blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/06/1984.html?m=0.


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