Idolatry, Snobbery & Religion

When human beings first evolved, they were ignorant of the laws of nature & imagined an omnipotent being controlling their lives. They made anthropomorphic idols of this being & began to worship, triggering the start of primitive religions. Later as their understanding of nature increased, this type of belief began to erode.

But simultaneously, for a harmonious society, the need of a hierarchy among the members arose, leading to a concept of a ruler. Some of the attributes of the earlier  idol were transferred to the ruler & his descendants, with the beginning of Snobbery. This may be observed in the non-human creation also as "the pecking order."

Though in modern times, most states adopt democracy, doing away with monarchy, the early habit of primitive man of creating idols to worship continues in the sycophantic glorification of political leaders & idolisation of film stars & sportspersons much beyond their values as essentially entertainers.

Even though most states institute honours to reward achievers, this also contributes to Snobbery by consigning others to a lower social position.

The antidote to these was stated by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was also a stoic philosopher as "Both Fame & Famous (persons) are ephemeral."

However, the futilities of idolising & snobbishness are laid bare in the Upanishads themselves. Eliminating selfishness & egoism was the first attribute of a human being, putting paid to artificial hierarchies. In the early days of Christianity also humbleness was extolled & singularity frowned upon. But as the organisation of the Church developed, these noble concepts were pushed back.

To sound the final note, Swami Vivekananda said "Religion does not consist in building temples or churches or attending public worship, but in self-realisation."