The Two Beliefs of a Complete Citizen

Avatar photo
Master Wonder · Jun 20, 2025
Introduction Since the birth of life, faith has always played an essential role in it. Throughout every stage of human society, faith has never been absent. From primitive totems and religious worship to modern national narratives and the belief in technological supremacy, faith has been a driving force that sustains collective identity, shapes personal values, […]

Introduction

Since the birth of life, faith has always played an essential role in it. Throughout every stage of human society, faith has never been absent. From primitive totems and religious worship to modern national narratives and the belief in technological supremacy, faith has been a driving force that sustains collective identity, shapes personal values, and advances the evolution of civilization.

But in today’s world, where civilization faces crises, technology brings new risks, wealth is highly concentrated, and spiritual emptiness is widespread, traditional systems of faith can no longer meet the spiritual needs of people or the demands of modern society.

In a system of complete citizenship, modern citizens need to embrace two core kinds of faith: the spiritual faith of social citizens and the civilizational faith of social citizens. These go beyond traditional religions, correct the distortions of today’s consumer-driven beliefs, and provide the values needed for a rational and well-ordered future civilization.

I. The dilemma and transformation of faith in civil society

In the past, human societies often relied on faith tied to divine authority, monarchs, churches, tribes, nations, or ideologies. On one hand, these beliefs helped unite communities and enforce moral norms. On the other hand, they became tools of control, limiting individual spiritual freedom and the autonomy of life’s value.

Although modern society has gradually become more secular and technological, new challenges of faith have quietly emerged:

  • The supremacy of science and the belief in technology’s omnipotence have led to a disregard for the intrinsic value of human beings.
  • Consumerism and the entertainment industry have fostered nihilism and spiritual numbness.
  • Elite power groups use data, algorithms, and media manipulation to recreate a form of “technological divinity.”
  • Religious faith has become formalistic, turning into a tool for wealth accumulation and power struggles.

Therefore, if modern civilization is to save itself, civil society must establish a new system of faith that reflects the spirit of the times, has practical value, and resists alienation—namely, the two core faiths of complete citizens.

II. The spiritual faith of social citizens: Awareness of life’s origin

1. Origins and transcendence

The original meaning of religion came from awe and inquiry into the mysteries of the universe, life, and destiny. At first, it served as moral guidance and comfort for human existence. Later, however, it became systematized into doctrines, intertwined with power, and was distorted into a tool of control.

The spiritual faith of modern citizens seeks to break free from the chains of rigid doctrines, return to the essence of life, and liberate individual spiritual freedom.

2. The meaning of spiritual faith

The spiritual faith of social citizens emphasizes:

  • The dignity of life as independent, and the soul as inherently free
  • Inner conscience as supreme, with external deities stepping aside
  • Awareness of the self, reverence for life, and respect for all beings
  • Conscious spiritual practice, compassion for others, and mutual support in altruism

This faith is not tied to any particular religion, yet it honors the benevolent wisdom found in all cultural heritages. It calls on individuals to face life, the inner self, and destiny directly—not relying on salvation or placing hope in another world, but achieving a dignified life here and now.

3. The social value of spiritual faith

  • Prevents the total alienation of human nature in a materialistic society
  • Builds inner stability for individuals and reduces the risk of social psychological disorders
  • Restores citizens’ self-respect, self-confidence, and capacity for self-reflection
  • Cultivates a civic character grounded in autonomy, freedom, equality, mutual support, and compassion

III. The civilizational faith of social citizens: Safeguarding rational order

1. Origins and vigilance

Since the Enlightenment, reason, science, technology, and institutions have gradually replaced divine authority, bloodline, and tribal ethics as the foundation of social governance. Faith in rational civilization is a product of this modern process.

But the illnesses of today’s civilization are becoming increasingly visible:

  • Technology has been turned into a tool of surveillance and control.
  • Wealth is highly concentrated, and signs of technological dictatorship have appeared.
  • Democratic systems often operate in form but without genuine public support.

The civilizational faith of social citizens seeks to restore a healthy balance between reason, science, institutions, and social justice—ensuring that technology and systems serve humanity rather than erode individual freedom.

2. The meaning of civilizational faith

  • It trusts in scientific progress, yet refuses to accept technological enslavement.
  • It upholds fairness in institutions, yet stays alert to the dangers of concentrated power.
  • It seeks material prosperity, yet stands against greed and oligarchic monopoly.
  • It values social progress, yet rejects civilizational colonialism and cultural dominance.

Civilizational faith affirms that technology must serve human freedom, institutions must safeguard human dignity, wealth must benefit the public, and society must remain open to diversity.

3. The social value of civilizational faith

  • Ensuring that the progress of technological civilization stays on the right track
  • Preventing systemic exploitation and technological authoritarianism
  • Guarding against the subversion of democracy and fairness by powerful capital groups
  • Building a healthy system of social cooperation and shared governance

IV. The symbiotic logic of dual faith

In the system of complete citizenship, spiritual faith protects inner dignity, while civilizational faith safeguards external order. The two complement and balance each other:

  • Spiritual faith prevents civilizational progress from falling into empty material expansion
  • Civilizational faith prevents spiritual faith from drifting into nihilism or chaotic freedom

Only when the two are united can citizens develop a well-rounded character, society maintain stability, civilization sustain its order, and humanity secure a sustainable future.

V. The responsibility of civilization-oriented public welfare organizations

Civilization-oriented public welfare organizations, such as Yicheng Commonweal, must take on the following responsibilities in our time:

  • Rebuilding the civic faith system
  • Promoting the ideas of spiritual faith and civilizational faith
  • Cultivating complete citizens who embrace both forms of faith
  • Advancing the reconstruction of institutional civilization based on complete citizenship

This is not only an update of a faith system but also the necessary path for humanity’s self-rescue in the evolution of future civilization.

Conclusion

The two forms of faith for complete citizens are the only path for humanity to keep advancing, for individual souls to resist alienation, and for social order to remain free from dictatorship. The crises of today’s civilization, the confusion of technology, and the loss of faith all stem from the absence of a belief system that truly belongs to citizens themselves and to modern civilization as a whole.

If there is any hope in our time, it will be born among complete citizens who hold both spiritual faith and civilizational faith.

Share this article:
LEARN MORE

Continue Reading

Previous Article
Next Article
The Catastrophic Consequences of Test-Oriented Education in the AI Era

The Catastrophic Consequences of Test-Oriented Education in the AI Era

Daohe · Jan 30, 2026

Preface: As AI Illuminates the Future, Humanity Retreats The artificial intelligence revolution should herald a “singularity” moment for human civilization—a time when knowledge becomes nearly free, tools amplify human capability exponentially, and individual creativity emerges as our most valuable asset. Yet a profound irony unfolds before us: while machines evolve at breathtaking speed, our educational […]

AI時代における受験教育の壊滅的な結末

AI時代における受験教育の壊滅的な結末

Daohe · Jan 30, 2026

前書き:AIが未来を照らす時、人類は後退している 人工知能(AI)の波は、本来なら人類文明の「特異点」を告げるはずでした。 知識を得るコストはゼロに近づき、ツールの効率は無限に拡大され、個人の創造性が最高の価値を持つ生産力として尊ばれる——そんな時代の到来のはずでした。 ところが、深刻な皮肉が進行しています。 機械がかつてないスピードで「進化」する一方で、私たち(特に多くの国々)の教育システムは、加速度的に「退化」しているように見えるのです。 私たちは今もなお、工業時代の古びた枠組みを使い続けています。 「標準化された試験の成績」だけを尺度とする選別システム——これで次世代を形成しようとしているのです。 このシステムの目的は啓発ではありません。規律です。 潜在能力の解放ではなく、「規格化された製品」の製造なのです。 AIの強い光が社会構造のあらゆる層を貫こうとしている今、私たちは頑なに受験教育という影で、未来を担うべき子供たちを覆い隠そうとしています。 これは単なる遅れではありません。 一種の裏切りなのです。 文明の存続に関わる災厄の根幹が、今この瞬間、静かに築かれているのです。 一、AI時代における受験教育の「乖離」:本来存在すべきではない制度的遅滞 受験教育は、最初から間違っていたわけではありません。 それは特定の時代の産物でした。 その誕生は、二つの明確な目的に奉仕するためでした: 工業時代のラインが求める「標準化された労働者」の需要 官僚機構が求める「標準化された管理者」の大規模な選抜 あの時代、効率がすべてを支配していました。 受験教育の根本的なロジックは、まさにその効率を実現するためのものでした。個性を排除し、差異を抑圧し、生身の個人を代替可能で予測可能、かつ管理可能な「部品」へと磨き上げる——。 それが追求したのは「卓越」ではなく「平均的な良さ」であり、「独創」ではなく「服従」でした。 しかし、AI時代の根本的なロジックは、これとは真逆です。 AIの本質とは、「標準化」の究極的な実現と超越にあります。肉体的であれ知的であれ、反復的でプロセス化され、予測可能なすべての労働はAIが引き継ぐことになります。 したがって、この時代が求めているのは、機械には代替不可能なすべてです。すなわち、「非標準的」な創造者であり、複雑なシステムを見抜く統合者であり、究極の問いを立てる思考者です。 ここに、巨大で致命的な構造的乖離が生まれています。 時代が求めているのは独自の魂を持つ個人であるのに、私たちの教育は、認知が統一された「操り人形」を大量生産し続けているのです。 この「乖離」は、もはや単なる「制度の遅れ」ではありません。文明の発展方向に対する根本的な対立なのです。 それは現代における最大の無駄であり、未来への最も重い足枷となっています。 二、受験教育によって形作られた「新時代の木偶の坊」 AIという鏡に照らされたとき、受験教育に長く浸かり形作られてきた「高得点・低能力」な人々の本質的な問題が浮き彫りになります。 彼らの能力が「足りるか」どうかではありません。その能力構造が「適切か」どうかが問われているのです。 彼らには憂慮すべき共通の特徴が見られます。 準備不足なのではありません。時代によって直接淘汰されようとしている——魂を抜かれた木偶のように、未来の奔流の中で身動きが取れなくなっているのです。 1. 思考の喪失:AIが答えられる問題を、人間がいまだに暗記している 受験教育の核心は、思考の炎を灯すことではありません。記憶の倉庫を満たすことです。 「標準回答」で「批判的思考」を置き換え、「解法パターン」で「第一原理」をすり替えました。 しかし、悲しい現実があります。 記憶の広さ、検索の速さ、分析の精度、計算の強度——これらすべてにおいて、どんなに優秀な人間の学生も、AIの前では完全に敗北しているのです。 「博覧強記」と「高速計算」を核とする子供が心血を注いで磨いたスキルは、すべてAIが1分以内に上回ってしまう領域なのです。 教育システムが「より機械に近い」振る舞いに報酬を与えるとき、それは「より人間らしい」資質を組織的に罰していることになります。好奇心、懐疑精神、複雑性の探究といった人類の宝物を。 人類の最も貴重な深い思考能力は、こうして「問題演習」というノイズの中で少しずつ削り取られていくのです。 2. 表現の喪失:問いを立てられず、対話ができず、言葉を持たない 受験教育が生み出すのは「回答する人」です。「問いを立てる人」ではありません。 あらかじめ設定された枠組みの中で「正しい」答えを出すよう要求し、枠組みを超えて前提そのものを疑うことは奨励しません。 しかし、AI時代において答えは安価です。過剰ですらあります。 本当に希少なのは「良い問い」を立てる能力です。 未来の社会で最も重要な能力は「いかに解決するか」ではなく「何を解決すべきかを定義すること」なのです。 機械的な暗記ではなく、異なる個人や文化、さらにはAI自身との深い対話。基準に合わせることではなく、独自の知見を明確に表現すること——これらが求められています。 木偶の坊に口は要りません。入力されたプログラムを実行するだけで十分だからです。 受験教育は、本来生き生きとしているはずの世代を、沈黙し受動的で指令を待つだけの生物学的プログラムへと訓練してしまっています。 3. 方向性の喪失:残るのは服従と恐怖だけで、自己も渇望もない 受験教育の「隠れたカリキュラム」は、目に見えるカリキュラムよりもはるかに強い影響力を持っています。 […]

read more

Related Content

The ultimate mission of institutional evolution: to end poverty and eliminate ignorance
Avatar photo
Kishou · Jun 14, 2025
— The era of complete civic systems Introduction: The structural predicament of civilizational progress Since the dawn of human society, civilization has struggled forward through cycles of shifting power structures and governance models. From tribal clans and slave-based states to feudal monarchies and dynastic regimes, and eventually to modern nation-states, systems of governance have undergone […]
A new era of complete civic systems and the great rise of divine human civilization
A new era of complete civic systems and the great rise of divine human civilization
Avatar photo
Master Wonder · Jun 14, 2025
— Awakening together, growing together Introduction When the great gods, saints, and divine messengers taught humanity, they always hoped we could one day build a truly just and harmonious society—one where every citizen has independent dignity, spiritual freedom, equal rights, and a shared destiny. However, if we look back over thousands of years of human […]
Brand new world: the origin and future of humanity’s ultimate form of civilization
Avatar photo
Master Wonder · May 18, 2025
1. The historical roots of the brand new world Many people today believe that the modern world is chaotic and fragmented, and that civilization seems to be heading nowhere. But in truth, the current state of the world did not appear out of nowhere. From the very beginning, human society has moved forward through struggles […]
View All Content