America’s Stunning Embrace Of Paganism Signals The End Of This Country As We Know It

[MegChristian]

Post-Christian America Is Becoming Pagan

The future of the post-Christian West isn’t some secular liberal utopia, it’s a pagan empire in which might makes right.

thefederalist.com

We are not talking about the imminent return of pre-Christian polytheism as the state religion. The new paganism will not necessarily come with the outward trappings of the old, but it will be no less pagan for all that. It will be defined, as it always was, by the belief that nothing is true, everything is permitted. And that belief will produce, as it always has, a world defined almost entirely by power: the strong subjugating or discarding the weak, and the weak doing what they must to survive. That’s why nearly all pagan civilizations, especially the most “advanced” ones, were slave empires. The more advanced they were, the more brutal and violent they became.

The same thing will eventually happen in our time. The lionization of abortion, the rise of transgenderism, the normalization of euthanasia, the destruction of the family, the sexualization of children and mainstreaming of pedophilia, and the emergence of a materialist supernaturalism as a substitute for traditional religion are all happening right now as a result of Christianity’s decline.

We should understand all of these things as signs of paganism’s return, remembering that paganism was not just the ritual embodiment of sincere religious belief but an entire sociopolitical order. The mystery cults of pagan Rome and Babylon were not just theatrical or fanciful expressions of polytheistic urges in the populace, they were mechanisms of social control.

 

[Desk trauma]

Y’all need new material.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I'm more concerned with what I view as a "paganization" of Christianity. The Church in America becoming, effectively, an ethnic folk religion; the view of God as chiefly a tribal deity interested in the preservation of the tribe, viewing power and violence as intrinsically virtuous. Fear and hostility directed toward "the other", placing a greater importance on tribal same-ness, the treatment of religion as cultural garb and as a means of maintaining a societal status-quo.

The Cult of the Deus Americanus, the "American God", with a triumphalist view of the ethnos, the nation or tribe. "America first", American exceptionalism, expressions of Christian Nationalism; these are all deeply "pagan" in sentiment; in the sense of religion as folk ritual and folk practice, deeply attached to home, hearth, kin, family, tribe, nation, et al.

The nation is held as sacred, with its myths that champion the sacralization of the nation and its symbols. The sacred symbols of America include its national flag, its Constitution, and other "sacred" documents. With sacred heroes of near-divine status, and associated myths about them (just take a gander of the treatment of the American founding fathers, of various generals, presidents, etc and the mythologies we wrap them in).

Recently the former president of the United States has endorsed a Bible that includes, within its bound volume, a copy of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. There are certainly myriad problems with this from a Christian perspective. Least of which is a clear religious syncratism with American folk-paganism; and presents the books of the Christian holy canon as being attached to the American Cult's own sacred canon. A blending and blurring of lines.

With all of this, and I feel like I'm only scratching the tip of the iceberg, perhaps it makes more sense for Christians in America to do some serious introspection, and perhaps do some house cleaning. Seems a bit hypocritical being upset that non-Christians aren't being Christian when we, calling ourselves Christian, are doing such a bad job at it. Seems problematic to, with a host of profane idols which we regularly bow and offer incense to, then turn the finger and decry the idols out there. I can't accuse my neighbor of having an idol all the while I keep an image of Ba'al in my house.

Expecting those outside of the Church to be too stupid to see the hypocrisy for what it is says more about our own failure to recognize just how deeply and profoundly in a state of wrongness we are ourselves. As though they won't be able to see that the emperor has no clothes.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[comana]

Chicken Little makes an appearance in every generation.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Chicken Little makes an appearance in every generation.

Or on this board, ever week.

 

[Bradskii]

The lionization of abortion, the rise of transgenderism, the normalization of euthanasia, the destruction of the family, the sexualization of children and mainstreaming of pedophilia, and the emergence of a materialist supernaturalism as a substitute for traditional religion are all happening right now...

Is this all happening in Conneticut right now? Maybe you should move.

 

[AlexB23]

Is this all happening in Conneticut right now? Maybe you should move.

Yeah, the title of the article by OP seems a little clickbait. Bad stuff has always been happening. Social media and sensationalist news exacerbates it though.

 

[Whyayeman]

The future of the post-Christian West isn’t some secular liberal utopia, it’s a pagan empire in which might makes right.
[from the OP citation]

It is true that there is a well established, long-term decline in church-going in America and here in the UK too. That is not a sign of a resurgence of paganism but rather evidence of a decline in belief in the supernatural.

Frankly, to me the tolerance in society of people other than the stereotypical heterosexual is a sign of moral progress.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Post-Christian America Is Becoming Pagan

The future of the post-Christian West isn’t some secular liberal utopia, it’s a pagan empire in which might makes right.

thefederalist.com

I'll be sure to take The Federalist's advice in fighting paganism by voting for the thrice-married, openly-philandering, race-baiting former casino magnate and playboy coverdude who also hocks bibles.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I'll be sure to take The Federalist's advice in fighting paganism by voting for the thrice-married, openly-philandering, race-baiting former casino magnate and playboy coverdude who also hocks bibles.

Not just Bibles, but extra special over-priced America Bibles, with its own Newer Testament added.

Years ago I came across a collection of "Bible figure" cards, cards with pictures and information of important biblical figures like Samson, King David, etc. But it was a special set, it was the "Founding Fathers" edition, so it also came with George Washington, James Madison, etc. It was very weird, why would there be a "Founding Fathers" edition in the first place? What does George Washington have to do with the patriarchs, prophets, or the apostles?

But this? This Trump-endorsed Bible? This is a lot worse. Not because Trump is endorsing it, but because the US Constitution has no place in the Bible. End of discussion.

Whenever I've talked about how American nationalism is its own kind of folk religion in the past, I have been routinely chastised and ridiculed for saying something "outrageous". But time and again we see things like this happen, and we're just supposed to pretend like it's normal?

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

It will be defined, as it always was, by the belief that nothing is true, everything is permitted. And that belief will produce, as it always has, a world defined almost entirely by power: the strong subjugating or discarding the weak, and the weak doing what they must to survive.

That pretty much is the history of humanity. No golden era.
Just a few specific people here and there, now and then who bring some love into the world.

 

[durangodawood]

It will be defined, as it always was, by the belief that nothing is true

I have definitely been concerned about this, given how many Americans have been completely unmoored from reality by Q type beliefs, "stolen election", and barely covert respect for Russian leader Putin who embodies the KGB tradition of "info wars".

 

[Whyayeman]

Whenever I've talked about how American nationalism is its own kind of folk religion in the past, I have been routinely chastised and ridiculed for saying something "outrageous". But time and again we see things like this happen, and we're just supposed to pretend like it's normal?

The American constitution in the Bible? How would your Founding Fathers feel about that?

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I have definitely been concerned about this, given how many Americans have been completely unmoored from reality by Q type beliefs, "stolen election", and barely covert respect for Russian leader Putin who embodies the KGB tradition of "info wars".

Well, it's all about money.

During a deposition, Murdoch testified that he believed the 2020 election was fair and had not been stolen from Trump.

“Fox knew the truth,” Dominion argued in court papers. “It knew the allegations against Dominion were ‘outlandish’ and ‘crazy’ and ‘ludicrous’ and ‘nuts.’ Yet it used the power and influence of its platform to promote that false story.”

 

[essentialsaltes]

We should understand all of these things as signs of paganism’s return, remembering that paganism was not just the ritual embodiment of sincere religious belief but an entire sociopolitical order. The mystery cults of pagan Rome and Babylon were not just theatrical or fanciful expressions of polytheistic urges in the populace, they were mechanisms of social control.

This distinguishes them in no way from today's major monotheisms.

 

[Whyayeman]

Post-Christian America Is Becoming Pagan

The future of the post-Christian West isn’t some secular liberal utopia, it’s a pagan empire in which might makes right.

thefederalist.com

This is just a puff for the author's book.

I won't be buying it because it is nonsense.

 

[dlamberth]

After reading the article I'm not seeing the Pagan connection. What it looks like to me is that Paganism is being used as the bogyman for the Christianity's own internal issues. The Paganism that I know does not look like the Paganism that the author describes. If Christianity is in decline as the OP says, I suggest that it look in inward to see what it sees about itself and not blame others.

 

[MegChristian]

If you don't understand the difference between good and evil and why it matters, you will continue to follow the Pied Piper into a disastrous trap. When you realize what is wrong with the lies you have chosen to believe it will be too late.

If you don't understand the difference between Trump and Hitler, between America and Venezuela, and why it matters you are in grave danger of being taken by surprise. When the trap closes it will be too late.

There is a reason why Christianity is the Gold Standard of civilization. There is a reason why America was built on a Christian foundation. Be careful, very careful what you choose and why.

I did not expect to be mocked, and I will not put up with being mocked. The article I posted details the best explanation of what is wrong with this "Post Christian" era we are falling into. If you cannot learn from it, the Pied Piper will continue to appeal to you.

I have nothing more to say.

 

[Hans Blaster]

If you don't understand the difference between good and evil and why it matters, you will continue to follow the Pied Piper into a disastrous trap. When you realize what is wrong with the lies you have chosen to believe it will be too late.

Some more awareness in general would be good on these points.

If you don't understand the difference between Trump and Hitler, between America and Venezuela, and why it matters you are in grave danger of being taken by surprise. When the trap closes it will be too late.

Oh, I do, and I will not fall into the trap of thinking Trump is "normal". I also know who his biggest backers are in name, motivation, and goals.

There is a reason why Christianity is the Gold Standard of civilization.

Never heard that before. The presence or absence of Christianity is not a measure of civilization.

There is a reason why America was built on a Christian foundation. Be careful, very careful what you choose and why.

It was not. There is not Christianity in the US Constitution.

I did not expect to be mocked, and I will not put up with being mocked.

We have seen articles like the one you posted in the OP many times before. The moral panic argument is getting tired. It has nothing to do with you.

The article I posted details the best explanation of what is wrong with this "Post Christian" era we are falling into.

A run-of-the-mill moral panic article from a Christian nationalist author. I can't take such people as authoritative.

If you cannot learn from it, the Pied Piper will continue to appeal to you.

i for one welcome our coming post-christian era.

I have nothing more to say.

 

[iluvatar5150]

After reading the article I'm not seeing the Pagan connection. What it looks like to me is that Paganism is being used as the bogyman for the Christianity's own internal issues. The Paganism that I know does not look like the Paganism that the author describes. If Christianity is in decline as the OP says, I suggest that it look in inward to see what it sees about itself and not blame others.

Yeah, but if The Federalist published thoughtful, nuanced pieces that took your approach, they wouldn’t make any money.