But the capitalist really depends on
some religion of inequality. The capitalist must somehow distinguish
himself from human kind; he must be obviously above it--or he would be
obviously below it. Take even the least attractive and popular side of
the larger religions to-day; take the mere vetoes imposed by Islam on
Atheism or Catholicism. The Moslem veto upon intoxicants cuts across all
classes. But it is absolutely necessary for the capitalist (who presides
at a Licensing Committee, and also at a large dinner), it is absolutely
necessary for him, to make a distinction between gin and champagne. The
Atheist veto upon all miracles cuts across all classes. But it is
absolutely necessary for the capitalist to make a distinction between his
wife (who is an aristocrat and consults crystal gazers and star gazers in
the West End), and vulgar miracles claimed by gipsies or travelling
showmen. The Catholic veto upon usury, as defined in dogmatic councils,
cuts across all classes. But it is absolutely necessary to the capitalist
to distinguish more delicately between two kinds of usury; the kind he
finds useful and the kind he does not find useful. The religion of the
Servile State must have no dogmas or definitions. It cannot afford to
have any definitions. For definitions are very dreadful things: they do
the two things that most men, especially comfortable men, cannot endure.
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