Science, Religion, and Power
The Marxist movement sparked new ideas of government and how the people should be controlled. One of the most prominent examples of Marxist workings was Communist Russia in the 1920's to the 1930's. This was around the time Aldous Huxley wrote and published his novel, Brave New World. Brave New World reflects the Marxist ideas of the time, especially those concerning the balance between science, religion, and political power and the economy. The concepts of science and religion being components, as well as weapons of the social structure are prominent themes in this novel, as well as the economy being based on consumption. In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, the World State creates stability among the people by controlling science, religion, and political power as they all drive each other.
The State must remain in control of religion because although it can fill the gaps in scientific theory, it is a conflicting idea, and it can also provide power to the State if it is controlled to where only the State may provide it. In the New World, religion comes by Solidarity Service, where Ford is God, and everyone consumes soma and engages is sexual activities. This religion explains the science around the people, as Ford is God, and the modern technology they have was either invented by Ford, or stemmed from Ford's inventions. The Solidarity Service is government controlled, and focused on consumption, especially the consumption of soma. This is yet another Marxist idea, which is the belief that religion is dependent upon economics, or consumption. The economics involved in this religion give the State more political power. It also gives the State power because all other forms of religion are banned to avoid conflict, and the only religion that can be practiced is provided by the State. It is human nature to want to practice religion, and if only one place can provide that, it has an immense amount of power and control over the people....