FOOTBALL IS THE OPIUM OF THE PEOPLE!
by Simeon Nkola Matamba (Follow on Twitter)
The man behind "religion is the opium of the people", Karl Marx, is not present to see how various entertainments now fit his description. The slogan that lowers the belief that religion is real and rational is very popular and still gets endorsements. Religion is identified to a drug relieving pain and creating fantasies for a short moment during which worries of life are on the wane as perceptions of the unseen are reinforced through spiritual exercising.
Today, more than religion, entairtenments fits Marx's view the best. The excitement around the ongoing World Cup competition is an example. From many countries around the world, hundreds of thousands of fans run to Brazil to support their team with songs, dances, shoutings and praises to exhaustion.
Those who can't travel connect to the event as games are broadcasted on TV. Every team has devoted worshipers and a talented priest in the forefront of the game. Argentina's Messi, Brazil's Neymar, or Portugal's Ronaldo are all charismatic figures worshipped by ecstatic supporters.
Last week when France beat Switzerland, on my Twitter timeline, the french whom I often see rant about their president and the disastrous economic situation were jubilating over their national team's performance. A wave of positivism and french pride was perceivable, as if de Gaulle had come back from the dead.
The amount of satisfaction people draw from football is amazing. When crises bash the people, football is one of the many exhaust pipes to let off pressure. More than letting of pressure, hardcore football fanatics with an extreme love for the game transcend in admiration and display emotions labelled as ridiculous only when manifested by churchgoers.
Marx's "religion is the opium people" is the opium of religion's opponents in that it makes them think repeating it parrot fashion will have an impact on religion. And football is the opium of the masses, with an increased support as its industry expands.
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