# Dune link:: [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/series/45935-dune) _Note: This is about the Dune series, not only the first book._ The story of Dune somehow hits home for me. It is complex and full of intricacies. But if I have to pick one memorable theme, it will be about the danger of mixing politics with religion (or any other forms of mythical belief). Well, probably because I grew up in an environment where religion often became a political tool. Frank Herbert, the author, believed that charismatic leaders could be dangerous because they can lead their followers off the edge of a cliff.[^1] They often march in blindness, swayed more by the myths surrounding these leaders than by merit, ready to trample anything in their path, even at their own expense. That's at least what unfolds in the story. Don’t get me wrong; this book isn't a critique of religion. It is about the danger of blindly following people, often under the guise of religion. I think it is a loophole within the concept of religion, which, by design, relies on faith, as otherwise, it would not fulfill its purpose in explaining things unexplainable solely through reason and logic. History has shown how religion could be used to give meaning to life, unite principalities, and prevent crimes such as the counterfeiting of money, among other things. But it also has been used to establish autocracy, wage wars, justify segregation, etc. After all, what matters is how we choose to use and interpret it. As with everything, there needs to be a balance. We should understand the context of when to hold on to our beliefs and when to think logically. Our capacity to reason is one of our greatest gifts; devoid of it, we may lose what it means to be human. Or, in the context of Dune, social order might fall apart. Actually, I think the message even extends further. We should avoid blindly trusting anyone in all circumstances. I don't mean that we should live in a trustless society, as that could have its own problems. Rather, we should always be open to challenging our beliefs, courageous in questioning those we trust, and build systems with proper checks and balances. Overall, I found Dune to be an enjoyable read. Even though there are film adaptations of the series, I’d still recommend reading the books. Because many of the messages, especially the philosophical ones, are presented as chapter quotes or side notes, and thus simply hard to visualize. --- [^1]: According to Brian Herbert in his introduction to the revised edition of Children of Dune, upon discussing why Frank Herbert deconstructed what he called the "myth of the hero" and exposed the dark side of Paul Atreides.