"Why, he's worse than an unbeliever, he's a heresiarch." "The fast is, if I were certain of anything, I would be inclined toward Manicheism," said Des Hermies.

"It's one of the oldest and it is _the_ simplest of religions, and it best explains the abominable mess everything is in at the present time.
"The Principle of Good and the Principle of Evil, the God of Light and the God of Darkness, two rivals, are fighting for our souls.

That's at least clear.

Right now it is evident that the Evil God has the upper hand and is reigning over the world as master.

Now--and on this point, Carhaix, who is distressed by these theories, can't reprehend me--I am for the under dog.