Thread: Does Civilization Actually Exist?

I mean really or we all just living in the illusion of civilization. If we got rid of law, order and what not, wouldn't we all just form small groups, trying to take over the other groups.

Think about little kids, the famous 3 kids 1 toy. We all know how they generally act, they will fight over it.

Are we adults any different?

No. We have simply created the illusion of civilization (or rather we have created something and labeled it civilization without actually reviewing the merits of that "something").

Most humans are still vicious, as vicious as foxes ;-)

we're living in the illusion of money.

Well, the fact that we have law and order (as flawed as it may be) says that yes, we live in a civilization. Of course it also depends on what you consider to be a civilization. We definately live in civilization, but if your question is, "Is civilization actually civilized" then I think that would have a more subjective answer.

In his book Man, God and Magic, Ivar Lissner commented: “One can only marvel at the perseverance with which man has striven, throughout his history, to reach outside himself. His energies were never directed solely toward the necessities of life. He was forever questing, groping his way further, aspiring to the unattainable. This strange and inherent urge in the human being is his spirituality. .*.*. Man is not content merely to sleep, eat and warm himself .*.*. All the civilizations of mankind that have ever existed were rooted in religion and a quest for God. Without faith, religion and God, civilization is inconceivable.”



History studies in schools and universities often seem to amount to little more than learning about events, battles, documents and personalities. H.*G.*Wells said that the “narrow history teaching” of our school days was mainly “an uninspiring and partially forgotten list of national kings or presidents.”

Yet, for thinking people, history should be a lantern to cast light on the pitfalls of the past and the present. It should give some hope for the future. Consider, now, some notable lessons from history and what mankind has failed to learn from them.

LESSON 1—Changes of government: As in the days of the French Revolution, the tendency is for like to succeed like, the “change” being more apparent than it is real. Thus, tyranny may well succeed tyranny. In Western democratic societies, like that of the United States or Great Britain, party succeeds party by election. But fundamental changes do not really occur.

Interestingly, noted writer Paul Valery observed: “All politicians have read history; but one might say that they read it only in order to learn from it how to repeat the same calamities all over again.” But why is this so? Basically because what the Bible says is true: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”—Jeremiah 10:23.

What is the lesson in this? “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” (Psalm 146:3) The promises of men are usually unreliable. Though they may conscientiously try, do not expect men to bring about a totally satisfying rule. Only Jehovah God can and will do that by means of his Kingdom with Jesus Christ as King.—Matthew 6:9, 10; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Daniel 2:44.

LESSON 2—Religion in politics: History indicates that the priesthood of organized religion in any age, when wielding political clout over the populace, functions as a tool to maintain the status quo, often for the benefit of the ruling element. A case in point is the role played by the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Europe and elsewhere in the perpetuation of the feudal system after the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century*C.E. For a millennium or more, the Church in both West and East worked closely with kings, czars and lords to maintain the privileges and preserves of the few at the top of the social pyramid.

In return the Church was given land (the basis of power in the feudal system), and its members were addressed as “my lord Abbot” or “my lord Bishop.” The pope himself was, possibly, the most powerful monarch in Christendom. Such power can be seen in a list of papal prerogatives published by Pope Gregory*VII in the 11th*century. These included “the power to depose emperors” and to “annul the decrees of anyone.”

The rulers of ancient Babylon, Egypt, Aztec America, Hindu India—indeed, perhaps all societies of the past—have used the religious system to entrench their own interests. And for selfish advantage worldly religion has ever sought to promote close ties with the State. But what is the lesson in all of this? It is that when religion mixes with politics and becomes involved in the world and its political affairs, the masses suffer and confusion results. Such spiritual fornication contributes to its being disgusting to God. (Revelation 17:3-5) Moreover, from the Bible we learn that one requirement of God-approved worship is ‘keeping oneself without spot from the world.’—James 1:27.

LESSON 3—Material prosperity: In some lands and periods of history notable material prosperity has been enjoyed. Many hold that happiness and contentment increase with the resultant rise in the standard of living. But what does history really teach? That material prosperity is not enough to make people happier. Besides material things, however, what else is needed?

Nineteen centuries ago, Jesus Christ said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:3) Hence, although material prosperity may bring some pleasure, from this history lesson we learn that true happiness results from cultivating and satisfying our spiritual need.

LESSON 4—Social betterment: It is impossible to make a better world without making better people. Actually, history proves that “man has dominated man to his injury.” (Ecclesiastes 8:9) Yes, such development