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Oh, the banality of human beliefs!

Some years back, when I introduced Mahfouz to my eager son, who quickly made him one of his favourite authors, I told him that this parable on the development of human beliefs, societies and rituals is a quite simple, yet true tale. After he had read it, he agreed, and claimed other works by this versatile author his preferred reading.

Thinking back though, I am convinced that it is precisely the banality of the cyclical need for revolution, followed by the institution of new authorities and then a slow development of authoritarian attitudes in the new leadership that makes it a timeless reading experience.

There are no complicated theological or sociological mysteries to be found anywhere - simply because we are quite simpleminded as a species. We want to worship, and we want to enrich ourselves, we want to be feeling superior and we want to dictate our worldview to others. We want to be famous and revered and to leave a legacy. We want to get rid of rivals and overthrow whatever order is against our personal prosperity and success. That's all there is to religion or ideology.

The house of the king is empty, no matter what we choose to call him and how we choose to show our respect and allegiance.

The power lies in the elusive character of the leader. The less he (for it is a patriarch to be sure!) is defined, the more followers can identify with him. Beware of intellectually challenging statements, if you want to rule the world. Sadly, I think I have grown to believe this simple tale out of experience, as my intellectual idealism of earlier years turned out to be a quite naive illusion. We are not capable of anything more demanding than Mahfouz' parable. And we are willing to kill and steal and lie to protect our own specific brand of banality.

So I am giving it five stars for seeing where we have always been heading: from one silly delusion to the next!