Lab
Library
Journal
Shop
Sign in
to keep
Share image
1
167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
151
"Citizen
Abbot,
aren't
there
bound
to
be
contradictions
in
doctrine
among
the
various
religions
which
make
up
your
faith?"
"There
were.
But
the
forgers
of
our
present
Church
threw
out
all
controversial
matter.
We
wanted
agreement,
not
dissension.
We
preserve
only
certain
colorful
facets
of
those
early
great
religions;
facets
with
which
people
can
identify.
There
have
never
been
any
schisms
in
our
religion,
because
we
are
all-acceptant.
One
may
believe
anything
one
wishes,
as
long
as
it
preserves
the
holy
spirit
of
Mankind
Incarnate.
For
our
worship,
you
see,
is
the
true
worship
of
Man.
And
the
spirit
we
recognize
is
the
spirit
of
the
divine
and
holy
Good."
"Would
you
define
Good
for
me,
Citizen
Abbot?"
"Certainly.
Good
is
that
force
within
us
which
inspires
men
to
acts
of
conformity
and
subservience.
The
worship
of
Good
is
essentially
the
worship
of
oneself,
and
therefore
the
only
true
worship.
The
self
which
one
worships
is
the
ideal
social
being:
the
man
content
in
his
niche
in
society,
yet
ready
to
creatively
advance
his
status.
Good
is
gentle,
since
it
is
a
true
reflection
of
the
loving
and
pitying
universe.
Good
is
continually
changing
in
its
aspects,
although
it
comes
to
us
in
the
...
You
have
a
strange
look
on
your
face,
young
man."
"I'm
sorry,
Citizen
Abbot.
I
believe
I
heard
that
sermon,
or
one
very
much
like
it."
"It
is
true
wherever
one
hears
it."
"Of
course.
One
more
question,
sir.
Could
you
tell
me
about
the
religious
instruction
of
children?"
Marker
Marker
Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
Circle
Paint
Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
Dice
Sieve
Purify
Undo
Redo
Start over
