As the West stumbles into materialist decadence and spiritual nihilism, traditionalists often point to three religious movements that can revive us, yet which is most likely to triumph?
Those considering Islam or Paganism would be well advised to read Valentin Thomberg's masterpieces', and Rudolf Steiner on Germanic myth and folk spirits.
Both of them did great justice to Pagan traditions with love, penetrated them with faculties beyond historicism and archeology, and ultimately determined that Christ was the incarnation of God and the mystery of Golgotha was actually the culmination of truths revealed in pagan mythologies. Further, those engaging with paganism you will notice feed on will to power, rather than having a rich mystic contact with God that sustains the whole affair.
We love our pagan friends politically, but we hope they examine these thinkers and initiates to see if their thinking holds up.
."..those engaging with paganism you will notice feed on will to power, rather than having a rich mystic contact with God that sustains the whole affair."
The Christian institutions will continue to deteriorate and Islam will collapse (despite what the media suggests). Paganism doesn't have a compelling vision or mission for the West. Nor is it unifying.
What was fitting in the past with our religious traditions don't really address how much our societies have evolved. Just like we go through stages of life (childhood, adolescence, maturity, old age) so do civilizations. I came across this quote yesterday from the early 20th century that gave me clarity on this perspective:
"All created things have their degree or stage of maturity. The period of maturity in the life of a tree is the time of its fruit-bearing...The animal attains a stage of full growth and completeness, and in the human kingdom man reaches his maturity when the light of his intelligence attains its greatest power and development...Similarly there are periods and stages in the collective life of humanity. At one time it was passing through its stage of childhood, at another its period of youth, but now it has entered its long-predicted phase of maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere apparent...That which was applicable to human needs during the early history of the race can neither meet nor satisfy the demands of this day, this period of newness and consummation. Humanity has emerged from its former state of limitation and preliminary training. Man must now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moral standards, new capacities. New bounties, perfect bestowals, are awaiting and already descending upon him. The gifts and blessings of the period of youth, although timely and sufficient during the adolescence of mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity."
I do see a reimagined Christianity, connecting with its origins, and a desire for unity whereby the different denominations may merge. Islam will be challenged by modernity and if there is a change in government, it may seek to put restrictions on it, like what is done in Gulf societies. When I think about Paganism, I now think its modern equivalent is Wokeism, which will not last in its present form because it has no core, no belief in God--which will be its undoing. The other religion not mentioned previously is the Baha'i Faith, which believes that Divine Revelation is progressive, and not final, which the other religions do not address.
Those considering Islam or Paganism would be well advised to read Valentin Thomberg's masterpieces', and Rudolf Steiner on Germanic myth and folk spirits.
Both of them did great justice to Pagan traditions with love, penetrated them with faculties beyond historicism and archeology, and ultimately determined that Christ was the incarnation of God and the mystery of Golgotha was actually the culmination of truths revealed in pagan mythologies. Further, those engaging with paganism you will notice feed on will to power, rather than having a rich mystic contact with God that sustains the whole affair.
We love our pagan friends politically, but we hope they examine these thinkers and initiates to see if their thinking holds up.
."..those engaging with paganism you will notice feed on will to power, rather than having a rich mystic contact with God that sustains the whole affair."
🙌🙌🙌
The Christian institutions will continue to deteriorate and Islam will collapse (despite what the media suggests). Paganism doesn't have a compelling vision or mission for the West. Nor is it unifying.
What was fitting in the past with our religious traditions don't really address how much our societies have evolved. Just like we go through stages of life (childhood, adolescence, maturity, old age) so do civilizations. I came across this quote yesterday from the early 20th century that gave me clarity on this perspective:
"All created things have their degree or stage of maturity. The period of maturity in the life of a tree is the time of its fruit-bearing...The animal attains a stage of full growth and completeness, and in the human kingdom man reaches his maturity when the light of his intelligence attains its greatest power and development...Similarly there are periods and stages in the collective life of humanity. At one time it was passing through its stage of childhood, at another its period of youth, but now it has entered its long-predicted phase of maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere apparent...That which was applicable to human needs during the early history of the race can neither meet nor satisfy the demands of this day, this period of newness and consummation. Humanity has emerged from its former state of limitation and preliminary training. Man must now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moral standards, new capacities. New bounties, perfect bestowals, are awaiting and already descending upon him. The gifts and blessings of the period of youth, although timely and sufficient during the adolescence of mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity."
Interesting take. What's your prediction for the future? A reawakened Christianity, spiritualism, perennialism, atheism?
I do see a reimagined Christianity, connecting with its origins, and a desire for unity whereby the different denominations may merge. Islam will be challenged by modernity and if there is a change in government, it may seek to put restrictions on it, like what is done in Gulf societies. When I think about Paganism, I now think its modern equivalent is Wokeism, which will not last in its present form because it has no core, no belief in God--which will be its undoing. The other religion not mentioned previously is the Baha'i Faith, which believes that Divine Revelation is progressive, and not final, which the other religions do not address.