The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c5.s1.7

c5.s1.7

In Fichte's analysis, it is indeed true that religion is the consolation of unjustly oppressed slaves, but it is still on account of the religious sense above all that people try to protect themselves against slavery and thus prevent religion from degenerating into a mere consolation of the prisoners. It fits the tyrant quite well, says Fichte, to preach religious resignation (*Dem Tyrannen steht es wohl an religiöse Ergebung zu predigen*) and to direct to Heaven those whom he does not wish to accord any nook or corner on Earth (*und die denen er auf Erden kein Plätzchen gestatten will an den Himmel zu verweisen*). In Fichte's words, we others should make it a point not to run after assimilating this concept of religion and, if we can, we ought rather to prevent the conversion of the Earth into a Hell and thereby awaken a greater longing for Heaven.