if they accepted their subordinated status to Rome in this life. Following
Nietzsche, this valorization of the “slave mentality”, replete with its repres-
sive asceticism came out of the ressentementtoward the Roman elites (Kellner
N.d. a). Yet that mentality endured thousands of years till this very day.^57 But
insofar as that Christianity emerged from Judaism, it held an implicit ratio-
nality in its rejection of magic that was obscured by the Catholic Church.
Further, Christianity, as a “slave mentality” that found virtue in self denial,
preached asceticism, quite atypical of Romans in that era.^58 Over a millen-
nium later, these elements of salvation, rationality (rejection of magic) and
asceticism would become central elements of Protestantism.
In contrast, for Weber, Islam was embraced by warriors who held an elec-
tive affinity for a salvation religion. As such, warrior classes stamped Islam
in two important ways. Unlike Christians, Muslim warriors, were not dis-
posed to asceticism. Nor in turn were the merchants. From the martyrdom
of Ali, to the wars against crusaders, martyrdom would play a significant
role in Islamic culture. Further, for Weber, the system of religiously based law
interpreted by muftischolars and administered by kadijudges meant that
commerce was based on vertrationalrather than zweckrationalgoals. Thus for
example, Islam never fostered the vast commercial organizations typical of
Europe.
We might also recall Freud’s comments on religion beginning with the
notion that religion served as an illusion that a benevolent Father would grant
people the happiness that was denied, thwarted, ironically, by the demands
for repression imposed by Civilization (Freud, 1961). Ironically, the demands
were mandated by religion and ultimately became internalized as the super-
ego. At certain times, certain charismatic leaders who embodied the group’s
values might act like a cultural superego such that submitting to his author-
ity might gain the love of the leader as well as cement ties between believ-
ers. Thus Freud showed how authority not only became part of the psyche,
but played a central role in social life, insuring social bonds were maintained
and that necessary labor, as well as the specialized, creative labor was done.
From the Caliphate to the Shaheedim• 335(^57) The dialectic of religion, the contradiction of domination and religion as hope,
especially evident in Christianity, is a central premise for a critical theory of religion
See for example Siebert (this volume). 58
While the infamous sex orgy was largely a leisure activity for the rich, prostitu-
tion was not only legal, but there were many state-owned, public brothels.