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1926
Upton Sinclair
1926
A socio-economic critique written in the early 20th century. The work explores the intersection of organized religion and economic exploitation, suggesting that religious institutions serve as a means of financial gain for the privileged while perpetuating social injustices. Sinclair’s argument is grounded in an economic interpretation of culture, highlighting the hypocrisy and material motives behind various religious practices and institutions. The opening of the text sets the tone for this examination by vividly illustrating a metaphorical scene of people engaged in “bootstrap-lifting,” a futile spiritual exercise that keeps them distracted from their actual plight. Sinclair depicts a society entranced by spiritual leaders—the “Wholesale Pickpockets' Association”—who profit from the followers’ devotion while actively encouraging their neglect of material needs. Through this clever allegory, he critiques how religion often distracts individuals from the realities of their economic circumstances and the exploitation inherent within institutionalized faith, suggesting that these religious constructs are entrenched systems that prioritize profit over genuine spiritual growth.
