Response to a Brave New World

Over the summer I read the literary classic, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. It tells the tale of a future world/alternate reality in which the human reproduction process has become governmentally controlled and follows the principals of mass production. Over 72 identical twins are able to be made from a single egg, each with an almost identical mental and physical ability. This mental and physical ability is ensured by the introduction of nutrients (or lack thereof) to the various test tube children, creating levels of individuals, and thus social classes, even before birth. The book had incredibly philosophical connotations, including a lengthy discussion at the end between the head of the government and a "savage." John The Savage is a man who was raised in an area deemed inappropriate for government control that is much more similar to our modern world with similar morals. One of the biggest points brought up is that the new "civilized" world does not belief in a God, but only the proliferation of human life. The savage is bewildered and forlorn at this truth, and asks the leader why. His response, in short, is that humankind has outgrown God and no longer needs him now that happiness has been achieved. Personally, I did not know how to respond to this statement. Is God a creation of humankind's unhappiness? Has he been created to give us hope that one day things will get better? Perhaps, God's main purpose is to ensure a moral code amongst humans, to hinder the potential self-destruction of the human race. What I found most interesting about the book and the philosophy of the leader was that he never said that there was no God. He never implied that human's now saw through religion or thought that God was a fictional figure. He only stated that mankind has "outgrown" Him. This implies that religion is what keeps us happy and moral, and once these things are achieved, worship can give way to science and further future progress. But God will continue to exist. He will continue to watch over the people of his planet even though he is unwanted and unremembered. In short, he has done his job and guided humanity to a point of self-preservation and we will eventually not need his protection and guidance any longer.