The Cream of the Jest · Chapter
XXIII: Economic Considerations of Piety explained
Kennaston, reading in his dead uncle's library, finds that most books no longer seem important.
What happens
Kennaston, reading in his dead uncle's library, finds that most books no longer seem important. Instead, each night he experiences vivid visions of historical events. He witnesses Tiberius Caesar on Capreae, discussing the new Christian sect with the physician Charicles. Tiberius sees political and financial advantage in adopting Christ as a Roman deity, but Charicles, a secret Christian, fears that state patronage will destroy the faith by eliminating martyrdom. He poisons Tiberius to ensure persecution under Caligula. Kennaston then sees a priest in a gray-walled room constructing a steam-engine disguised as a miracle device to attract worshippers back from the Galilean heresies, revealing the economic and political calculations behind piety.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Mortality
The chapter explores how religious belief is manipulated for political and economic ends, and how martyrdom is seen as essential for the survival of faith.
Disillusionment and Cynicism
Tiberius's cynical view of religion as a tool for control and revenue, and the priest's manipulative use of a fake miracle, highlight a disillusioned perspective on piety.
The Power of Storytelling
The chapter shows how old tales are repackaged (Christ as a variation of earlier myths) and how narratives (miracles, martyrdom) are crafted to influence belief.
Characters to notice
- Felix Kennaston
The dreamer who witnesses historical scenes from his bed, reading the 'truthful history' through his sigil.
- Tiberius
The Roman Emperor, ill at Capreae, who considers adopting Christ as a state deity for political and financial gain.
- Charicles
A Greek physician and secret Christian who poisons Tiberius to ensure persecution of Christians, preserving the faith through martyrdom.
- Christ
Referred to as Christus, the Nazarene whose followers are discussed by Tiberius and Charicles.
- Pontius Pilate
Mentioned as the one who crucified Christ, enabling his deification.
Key passages
“It is, instead, a religion that should be fostered. The man preached peace. It is what my father before me strove for, what I have striven for, what my successors must strive for. Peace alone may preserve Rome: the empire is too large, a bubble blown so big and tenuous that the first shock will disrupt it in suds.”
Tiberius argues that Christianity should be promoted because its message of peace aligns with Roman imperial goals; the empire is fragile and needs unifying beliefs.
Tiberius's political rationale for adopting Christianity.
“Pilate did well to crucify the man, else we could not have made a God of him; but the persecution of these followers of Christus must cease.”
Tiberius approves of Pilate's execution of Jesus because it enabled his deification, but wants the persecution of Christians to stop.
Tiberius's cynical view of the crucifixion as a necessary step for creating a new deity.
“Why, martyrdom was the one certain road to Heaven; and a religion which is patronized by potentates, obviously, breeds no martyrs.”
Charicles believes that only persecution ensures true faith, as state patronage eliminates the opportunity for martyrdom.
Charicles's reasoning for poisoning Tiberius to provoke persecution.
“We very decidedly need some striking miracle to advertise our temple. Folk are flocking like sheep after these barbarous new Galilean heresies. But the All-Mother is compassionate to human frailty; and this device will win back many erring feet to the true way.”
The priest admits that a fake miracle is needed to compete with Christianity and attract worshippers back to the traditional goddess.
The priest's pragmatic use of a steam-engine as a religious prop.
