God is Power
God is Power
This blog is part of a thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad. By analyzing these two videos, we have gained deeper insights into the novel 1984 and its broader themes. Click Here.
Power, Belief, and Losing Individuality in Orwell’s 1984
George Orwell’s 1984 shows us a dark future where the government—the Party—has total control. It’s not just about rules or laws. In this world, power means controlling everything, even what people believe is true. When the Party says “God is power,” they mean that they are the ultimate force—like a god—and you must obey them completely.
Through the eyes of the main character, Winston Smith, Orwell shows how dangerous it is when a government has this kind of total power. The story warns us how easily truth can be changed, individuality erased, and belief turned into blind obedience.
Main Ideas
“God is Power”
This phrase means that the Party doesn’t want people to believe in a god. Instead, it wants them to treat the Party as their god, with total loyalty and no questions asked.
Faith Turned into Obedience
Orwell isn’t attacking religion directly. Instead, he’s showing how those in power can use belief—like religious faith—to control people. The Party doesn’t destroy faith; it steals it and uses it for its own purpose.
Winston’s Small Acts of Rebellion
Winston tries to fight back. He keeps a diary, falls in love, and searches for the truth. These are simple things, but in his world, they’re acts of rebellion.
His struggle shows how hard it is to keep your independence when a system is designed to crush it.
Power Means Controlling Reality
The Party doesn’t just rule the country—it controls how people think, remember, and speak.
They rewrite history, change facts, and make people believe lies. To them, truth is whatever they say it is.
Surveillance and Mind Control
In 1984, there are telescreens, constant spying, and public punishments. But the real control happens inside people's minds.
People are taught to watch themselves and erase “bad thoughts” before they even form.
This is the worst kind of control—not physical, but mental and emotional.
Twisting Reality: “Freedom is Slavery” and More
The Party uses confusing phrases like:
“Freedom is Slavery”
“War is Peace”
“Ignorance is Strength”
These phrases are meant to confuse people and make them stop thinking critically.
When people stop trusting their own thoughts, they become easier to control.
“God is power” is another one of these phrases. It means only power matters, and the Party is the highest power.
The Role of War: Fear as a Weapon
War in 1984 is not really about winning. It’s about keeping people scared and obedient.
When people are afraid, they’re easier to control. The Party turns war into something holy, like a religious duty, so people don’t question it.
Orwell’s Warning: What Happens When Power Goes Too Far
1984 isn’t just fiction—it’s a warning. Orwell shows us what can happen if a government gets too much control.
When power becomes like a god, truth disappears.
The individual becomes invisible, and people stop thinking for themselves.
Final Message: Remember, Think, Resist
In the end, Orwell wants us to remember how important truth and independent thinking are.
Even though Winston loses his fight, the book reminds us that the real danger is when we stop thinking and let others decide what’s true.
Sometimes, the most powerful act of rebellion isn’t fighting—it’s remembering, asking questions, and refusing to accept lies.
Power, Faith, and Control in Orwell’s 1984
The world in the book is split into three powerful states: Oceania, Eurasia, and East Asia. This mirrors the three major Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism). Just as religions have strict rules and beliefs, so do the Party and its leaders. Orwell uses this to show how both political and religious systems can demand total obedience and erase individuality.
Main Points
Religion and Politics: Two Sides of the Same Coin
1984 criticizes both political power and religious control.
The Party uses ideas like confession, faith, and hierarchies—just like organized religion—to keep people in line.
Superstates and Religion
The three superstates act like different religions.
Each one claims to be the only “true” way, just like religions often do.
Confession as a Weapon
Winston is forced to confess his “crimes” against the Party.
This is similar to religious confession, but instead of finding peace, he’s broken down.
Big Brother as a God
Big Brother is always watching—like an all-knowing god.
People are taught to love and fear him, even when they suffer.
The Party’s Pyramid of Power
The Party is structured like a religious institution, with leaders at the top and followers below.
No one is allowed to question or interpret ideas for themselves.
Room 101 = Hell or Purgatory
Room 101 is where people face their worst fears.
Like religious suffering meant to "purify" the soul, this pain destroys free thought.
Deeper Meanings
A Double Critique
Orwell shows how total power—whether from a government or a church—can be dangerous. He warns us not just about dictators, but also about blind faith.
The Party as a Religion
The Party has its own “sacred book” (The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism).
Its beliefs are never questioned, just like religious dogma.
Confession and Control
Orwell asks: Is confession really about healing—or is it about making people submit?
Surveillance as Spiritual Watchfulness
Just like God is said to see everything, the Party watches everyone through telescreens.
This turns everyday life into a kind of forced worship.
Power Hierarchies
The Party’s pyramid reflects religious power structures, with strict rules and no room for doubt.
Orwell shows how this kind of control crushes freedom.
Suffering as “Purification”
Room 101 is like a twisted version of purgatory—pain is used to change people completely.
But instead of growing stronger, people like Winston lose who they are.
Orwell’s View on Faith and Power
Orwell had problems with Catholicism and other systems that demand total loyalty.
In 1984, he shows how faith and obedience can be used to erase the individual.
Whether it’s a government or a religion, if the system wants total control, it becomes dangerous.
Final Thoughts
1984 is more than just a scary story about a future dictatorship.
It’s a deep look at how power works—through fear, faith, and control.
The Party is like a religion:
It has a god (Big Brother),
It has rituals (confessions, slogans),
And it demands total belief.
The scariest part? People don’t even know they’re being controlled.
They think they love Big Brother. They think suffering makes them pure.
Orwell’s message is clear:
When power becomes a god, truth dies—and so does freedom.
The phrase “God is power” sums it up perfectly. In a world where faith is forced and thinking is punished, the human spirit isn’t just broken—it’s rewritten.
References :
DoE-MKBU. (2023b, February 21). Critique of Religion | 1984 | George Orwell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh41QghkCUA
DoE-MKBU. (2023c, February 21). God is Power | 1984 | George Orwell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj29I_MU3cA
Orwell, G. (1984). 1984. In Planet eBook [Book]. https://www.planetebook.com/free-ebooks/1984.pdf
