There’s a kind of theology at work here. The bombs are a…
““There’s a kind of theology at work here. The bombs are a kind of god. As his power grows, our fear naturally increases. I get as apprehensive as anyone else, maybe more so. We have too many bombs. They have too many bombs. There’s a kind of theology of fear that comes out of this. We begin to capitulate to the overwhelming presence. It’s so powerful. It dwarfs us so much. We say let the god have his way. He’s so much more powerful than we are. Let it happen, whatever he ordains. It used to be that the gods punished men by using the forces of nature against them or by arousing them to take up their weapons and destroy each other. Now god is the force of nature itself, the fusion of tritium and deuterium. Now he’s the weapon. So maybe this time we went too far in creating a being of omnipotent power. All this hardware. Fantastic stockpiles of hardware. The big danger is that we’ll surrender to the sense of inevitability and start flinging mud all over the planet.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The proliferation of nuclear weapons creates a god‑like terror, leading humanity to surrender to an inevitable, overwhelming force.
In simple terms: Too many bombs make us feel powerless and fearful, like worshipping a dangerous god.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge the fatalistic mindset around nuclear power.
Themes
politics
technology
existential anxiety
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- public protests
- academic discourse
- media commentary
Key Concepts
omnipotent weaponry
theology of fear
technological determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions can reduce the sense of inevitability?
- How does fear shape policy decisions?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate inevitability, ignoring agency and mitigation strategies.