The refrain from a once popular song sung by the
widely acclaimed Swedish ABBA band went this way: "Money, money, money!
It’s a rich man’s world." It goes to show how influential money is in
the lives of mankind. With the advancement of science and technology in
the 21st century, more goods and services, previously
unthinkable, can now be possessed if one has --- money. Money has become
the very driving force behind capitalism and is the paramount yardstick
for success.
I agree that money is inevitably the religion of the
21st century. For the less well off, money is needed for a
simple livelihood but for the middle class and above it is a means of
obtaining a life of comfort and luxury. Since the latter part of the 20th century, capitalism, with money as
the motivational power behind has triumphed over communism. On a
personal level, people work with a religious zeal and fervour and
everything else becomes secondary. On the country level, ever since
China has opened up its markets, it has been converted into a money
grabbing society. There have been a number of cases reporting that
businessmen and factory owners in China using inferior ingredients in
the food manufacturing industry, resulting in many people suffering from food poisoning.
Other developing countries like Indonesia and Brazil, in a bid to diversify their economies and increase their Gross National Product,
have also resorted to excessive lumbering and so on. Their governments
have chosen to legalise such activities for the sake of money. Even
Singapore’s casino proposal and aim to increase population to 8 million eventually
are for economical survival. Building a casino is supposed to inject
life into Singapore’s tourism industry while increasing the population is to
supply the job market with the required labour and to maximise the
country’s resources.
Besides that, 21st century is an
economically more competitive period. This can be seen through the
expansion of multinational corporations which are large,
companies with huge
financial resources and superior business methods. Small companies which
are unable to compete are forced to close down. Scientifically, private
space travel is now available for the very wealthy. Through improved
internet and space shrinking technologies, commercial transactions have
become even more convenient - what is needed is just money. With
traditional religions spurned, science and technology take center stage
in the 21st century. People with the money have the clout to
do whatever they want such as resorting to gene therapy and treatment to
stay "forever young". Politically we will be seeing increasing money
politics featured in both developed and developing countries.
Socially, the have and have-nots gap becomes more visible as the rich
become richer and the poor remaining trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Hence, the poor people will feel dissatisfied and are hungrier for success. There is also the media showcasing the lifestyle
of the rich and famous like "The Simple Life" featuring the hotel
heiress, Paris Hilton, thus whetting the viewers’ appetite for success,
in terms of money and material comfort.
Man thus pursues material wealth with a religious
zeal and would rob and kill in its name. Money is worshipped for the
power it wields.
However, due to factors even mighty Mammon cannot
eradicate, some might argue that money is "a religion" but by no means
"the" religion in the 21st century. There will be people, being tired of materialistic pursuits, become 21st century hermits, while some may preoccupy themselves with altruistic pursuits and still others who remain faithful to traditional religions.
Some might say that although Mammon is worshipped in
many quarters, true religions will not disappear and what money can
purchase is ephemeral and does not satisfy man’s deeper spiritual needs.
Even Madonna, the Material Girl, has now turned to Kabloala, a mystical
Jewish religion. However, I beg to differ. One has to
be remindedthat Madonna turned to this new belief
only after she has earned millions of dollars, enough to last her for
the rest of her life. Moreover, she did not give up her lucrative career
which is helping to support her lavish lifestyle. From this, we can see
that Madonna still believes in the power money wields. Some may also say
that increasing acts of terrorism strike fear in the hearts of men.
Buildings, infrastructure going up in smoke after a bomb attack causes
Man to feel humbled and insecure and desiredto anchors of the soul which can only be
found in a genuine religion that offers a coherent answer to life.
However, the 2true solution to all these problems is
actually to step up security, in terms of machinery and also human
labour. All these can ultimately be achieved only by money.
By recognising money as the religion of the 21st century,
it merely implies dominance over other belief systems, and not the
complete eradication of other religions. It is just that money has taken
center stage in the 21st century while others have receded to
the backstageground. Who knows what will be the next religion? |
Where is the thesis statement?
ß Use a topic sentence to introduce your
scientific, political, social points
ß But the programme shows how they
‘rough it out’ --- therefore not appropriate as an example.
ß Can money truly buy security?
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