Quote by Pope John Paul II, Holy Mass in
Pervading materialism imposes its dominion on man today in many different forms and with an aggressiveness that spares no one. The most sacred principles, which were the sure guides for the behaviour of individuals and society, are being hollowed out by false pretences concerning freedom, the sacredness of life, the indissolubility of marriage, the true sense of human sexuality, the right attitude towards the material goods that progress has to offer. Many people now are tempted to self-indulgence and consumerism, and human identity is often defined by what one owns. Prosperity and affluence, even when they are only beginning to be available to larger strata of society, tend to make people assume that they have a right to all that prosperity can bring, and thus they can become more selfish in their demands. Everybody wants a full freedom in all the areas of human behaviour and new models of morality are being proposed in the name of would-be freedom. When the moral fibre of a nation is weakened, when the sense of personal responsibility is diminished, then the door is open for the justification of injustices, for violence in all its forms, and for the manipulation of the many by the few. The challenge that is already with us is the temptation to accept as true freedom what in reality is only a new form of slavery.
Summary
This quote highlights the prevalence of materialism in society and how it aggressively influences individuals. Sacred principles that once guided human behavior and society are being eroded by false notions of freedom, the sanctity of life, the meaning of marriage, human sexuality, and attitudes towards material possessions. As prosperity and affluence become more accessible, people tend to prioritize their own desires and become increasingly selfish. The pursuit of personal freedom often leads to the proposal of new moral models that may undermine the moral fabric of a nation. This weakening of moral values can ultimately result in injustices, violence, and manipulation by those in power. The quote warns against accepting this apparent freedom, as it is, in fact, a new form of enslavement.
