Twin-sister of Religion, Selfishness.

"Twin-sister of Religion, Selfishness." – Percy Bysshe Shelley.

In these striking words, Percy Bysshe Shelley draws a profound parallel between religion and selfishness, suggesting that at their core, they share a deep and troubling similarity. Both, in different ways, can be used to justify self-interest and a lack of compassion for others. Religion, when manipulated, can be a powerful force for personal gain, cloaking selfish motives in the guise of divine authority. Likewise, selfishness can mask itself under the pretense of piety, using faith as a tool to serve one's own desires, rather than the greater good. Shelley's critique is a sharp reminder that true religion—rooted in love, compassion, and selflessness—is easily corrupted when it becomes an instrument of personal or political power.

The ancients were well aware of the dangers of using faith and religion to further personal gain. In Plato’s Republic, the philosopher critiques the tyrannical rulers, who cloaked their power in the rhetoric of religious duty and divine mandate. For Plato, the ideal ruler was not one who sought power for its own sake, but one who ruled with justice and wisdom, always mindful of the well-being of others. Similarly, Socrates warned against the dangers of blind obedience to authority, including religious authority, which could be used to justify immoral actions. For both philosophers, the true measure of virtue was not in outward piety or ritual, but in the moral integrity and selflessness of the individual.

The misuse of religion for selfish ends can be seen throughout history. One only need look at the crusades of the Middle Ages, where religious zeal was used as a justification for conquest and bloodshed. The notion that religious warriors were fighting for the will of God often served to mask the true desires of the powerful—territorial expansion, wealth, and control. In this way, religion was twisted into a tool for selfish gain, with devastating consequences. Shelley points to this tragic irony: what begins as a noble pursuit of faith can become entangled with the desires of the self, turning religion into something far from divine.

Consider the example of Martin Luther, the great reformer who challenged the corrupt practices of the Catholic Church in the 16th century. Luther’s 95 Theses were a direct response to the Church’s selling of indulgences, a practice that allowed individuals to pay for forgiveness of sins. Luther recognized that this practice was rooted in self-interest, both on the part of the Church and its followers, and was a corruption of true religion. By exposing the selfish motives behind these practices, Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation, a movement that sought to return religion to its core values of individual relationship with God, humility, and repentance. Luther’s stand was a call for spiritual purity, warning against the danger of religion becoming a tool for personal profit.

In contrast, Mahatma Gandhi exemplified the power of religion rooted in selflessness. Gandhi’s Hindu faith was deeply intertwined with his commitment to nonviolence (ahimsa) and the pursuit of justice for all people, regardless of their social or religious background. Gandhi rejected the idea that religion could be used to justify selfishness or oppression. Instead, he embraced a vision of faith that called for deep compassion, equity, and service to others. Gandhi’s life is a testimony to the idea that true religion is not about personal gain or privilege, but about serving the greater good and embodying the universal values of truth and love.

The lesson from Shelley’s quote is one of profound self-reflection and integrity. Religion, at its core, is meant to bring us closer to divine truth, compassion, and the well-being of others. However, when selfishness enters the picture—whether in the form of power, wealth, or status—religion can become a tool of oppression rather than a force for good. True spirituality requires that we consistently examine our intentions, ensuring that our faith leads us toward selflessness, rather than furthering our own personal agendas. When religion becomes a matter of self-interest, it loses its divine purpose.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves: Are we living our faith with integrity? Are we allowing our beliefs to guide us toward selflessness and compassion, or are we using them to justify our own selfish desires? Whether in our spiritual practices, our relationships, or our work, we must strive to live with humility and self-awareness, ensuring that we do not allow selfishness to creep into the core of our faith. True religion, as Shelley warns, must be free of self-interest and rooted in the service of others, for only then can we truly reflect the divine qualities of love, peace, and justice. Let us live our faith in a way that elevates the human spirit, not the ego, and in doing so, we will fulfill the true purpose of our spiritual journey.