The churches failed to realize that the working-class movement was the movement of the humiliated and oppressed supplicating for justice. They did not choose to work with and for them to create the kingdom of God on earth. By siding with the oppressors, they deprived the working-class movement of God. And now they reproach it for being godless. The Pharisees!
The churches overlooked the significance of the working-class movement, which represented those who suffered and sought justice. Rather than supporting this cause and helping to foster a just society, the churches aligned themselves with the oppressors. This choice alienated them from the genuine spiritual needs of the struggling masses, who saw their plight as a quest for divine justice.
In their refusal to associate with the downtrodden, church leaders ultimately deprived the working-class movement of a sense of divine purpose. Ironically, they now criticize this movement for lacking spirituality, akin to the Pharisees who ignored the true essence of faith while appearing righteous. Kundera highlights this profound contradiction in societal and religious dynamics.
