Panopticism / / Task

Choose an example of one aspect of contemporary culture that is, in your opinion, panoptic. Write an explanation of this, in approximately 200-300 words, employing key Foucauldian language, such as 'Docile Bodies' or 'self-regulation, and using not less than 5 quotes from the text 'Panopticism' in Thomas, J. (2000) 'Reading Images', NY, Palgrave McMillan. 

Religion / / GOD

Relationship between organised religion / / God and believer.

In this instance, I will be talking about the monotheist religion: Christianity.  Because followers believe in one God, the mental effects of panopticism are heightened. 
Religion, especially Christianity, is a perfect example of Jeremy Benthams: Panopticon, because in this case, everywhere in the World is in effect, the inspection house.  Any one with faith can be seen at any time, anywhere.


An extremely poignant quote from Loki in Kevin Smiths comedy 'Dogma':

"Through the Looking Glass". That poem, "The Walrus and the Carpenter" that's an indictment of organized religion. The walrus, with his girth and his good nature, he obviously represents either Buddha, or.. or with his tusk, the Hindu elephant god, Lord Ganesha. That takes care of your Eastern religions. Now the carpenter, which is an obvious reference to Jesus Christ, who was raised a carpenter's son, he represents the Western religions. Now in the poem, what do they do.. what do they do? They.. They dupe all these oysters into following them and then proceed to shuck and devour the helpless creatures en masse. I don't know what that says to you, but to me it says that following these faiths based on mythological figures ensure the destruction of one's inner-being. Organized religion destroys who we are by inhibiting our actions... by inhibiting our decisions, out of.. out of fear of some.. some intangible parent figure who... who shakes a finger at us from thousands of years ago and says.. and says, "Do it - Do it and I'll fuckin' spank you. “

- puts the Bible's teachings into a context / / language that I can understand.
 
Taking on this point of view, I will structure my argument accordingly.

In the eyes of a Christian, God is everywhere, 'the penetration of regulation into even the smallest details of everyday life.' (Foucault, 1977).  There is essentially no escape from the eyes of God.  One aim of Benthams panoptic model is that the prisoners had to be isolated from the rest of the inmates.  The Bible teaches that, 'For every man shall bear his own burden.'  Bible, Galatians vi. 5, every believer should be separate, 'Perfectly individualised and constantly visible' Foucault, 1977).  In relation to the model, God, with his omnispresent surveillance, is the central tower.  This central tower is used as a mechanism of power to strike fear in all that believe (prisoners), 
'He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Bible, John 3:36.)

to exclaim that those who do not believe will feel the wrath of God is used as a controlling device to make sure those who have faith stay in line- do nothing wrong under his constant gaze.  They never have to physically see God to behave 'correctly', this is through fear of the teachings of the Bible / / preachers / / priests masses of the reprocussions of sinning.  Because of this mental shift that effects the way the body acts they become 'docile bodies'- doing what they think they should be doing because someone could possibly be watching them. 

'We walk by faith, not by sight.'  

Bible, 2 Corinthians v. 7.


HYMS. 
- reinforce Gods message.  Under the guise of a happy song. 
'The whole World in his hands'.  Given the thought, very sinister.  Signifies the control he has, and heightens the feeling of safety those who have faith hold.  Works both ways.