The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-12-04


results were achieved, tho, when it
married American business. pAltho
freedom of religious belief was writ
ten into the constitution, Christianity
is the accepted opium. Once estab-
lished in power, the new ruling class
embraced religion fervently, not for
itself, but for the good of the masses.
There is no state church in the
United States, All religions because
they all uphold capitalism are sane
toned by the state. And thereby the
rulers of society are able to co-ordi-
nate their religious propaganda in
favor of the exploitive system to an
extent that would have been impos-
sible were a particular brand favored.
This peculiar situation exists: the
catholic assures the protestant he is
consigned to hell because he is out
side of the mother church; the Jew
promises both they will sojourn in
Gehenna, while he is reserved for
Abraham's bosom. because he has the
original dope. Yet all join in one
cherubic chorus in proclaiming that
sod protects the present order; that
private property is a divine institu-
ton; that exploitation of the work
ers is necessary for the remission of
sins; and that imperialism and war
are gifts of god.
Self-taxation of the bourgeoisie in
the United States for religion exceeds
the compulsory taxation of many Eu-
ropean capitalists. Consequently we
find a monstrous religious structure
working under many forms, influence
ing little children before they go to
school, reaching the masses thru the
various denominations, and penetrat-
ing the very heart of the proletariat
in the shops and industry thru the
Y. M. G. A. and the Salvation Army
The church very early laid down
its policy toward labor and has fol
lowed 1t ever since with such modifi-
cations as new ruling classes demand
ed. Jesus has been called a rebel
and a tabor leader" Let us remem-
Der that he said, when tested Give
unto Caesar the things that are Cae-
ssr's, and unto god the things that
are gods" In short, obey and sub
NIT to the boss whether he be earthly
or divine. The X. K X. simplifies
this expression by declaring itself,
''One Hundred Percent American and
One Hundred Percent Christian"
IsrI 81
lists particularly have made a fine
art of befuddling the workers with re-
ligion.
DR.. IRE, an English economist,
speaking to factory owners in the ear
ly nineteenth century said: 1T is
excessively to the interest of
every mill owner to organize his mo-
raj machinery on equally sound prin-
ciples with his mechanical :.
There is, in fact, no case to which
the gospel truth goodness is great
GAIN is more applicable than in the
administration Of an extensive fac
tory" The American capitalists have
followed this advice to an astound-
ing degree.
Roger w. Babson, statistical ex-
pert and financial adviser Of probably
more capitalists than anyone else, has
written several books urging the use
of religion more intensively in Ameri-
can industry. Here are a few gems
from his book, Religion and Bust
ness:
"The value of our investments de-
pends not on the strength of our
banks, but rather upon the strength Of
our churches. For our own sakes,
for our chlidrens sakes, for the ma
tons sake, let us business men get
behind the churches and their preach
ers BY all that We hold dear,
let us from this very day, give more
time, more money and thot to the
churches OF our city, for upon these
the value OF all we own ultimately de-
pends."