What do you think? Are we headed for a revolution? What testimonies of Christians under totalitarianism do you find most inspiring? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Another good article. I’ll add this one in: a friend of mine is half-Okinawan. He grew up in North Carolina, now lives in Okinawa. His grandmother came to America after the war, and her brothers fought in the imperial army. He became Orthodox, and we frequently talk about the Christian situation in Japan. He said this once. “If I think about Egypt and the fact that God explicitly says he was judging the gods of Egypt, and his plagues all targeted specific gods … well, what better way to judge a nation whose emperor claims to be the descendant of and avatar of the Sun Goddess than by dropping miniature suns on the country twice?”
Regarding revolution, I don’t know. I’m reading Caesar’s Gallic Wars now, and I read Cicero a couple years ago. There are definitely commonalities between us and the Roman republic. I’m also reading The Scarlet Letter again, and seeing Puritan New England government reminds me of a lot of things from our history leading up to the Revolution. Some of that is playing out now, too. I think the one thing that’s certain is that we’ve reached the end of the world our victory in World War II created. That world order is dead, and we’re currently fighting to see what world and worldview will follow. Radicals on both sides have their claimed solutions. But, I also saw a line I liked a lot from Yeats on Substack earlier: “Empty souls trend toward extreme opinions.” The radicals on both sides have empty souls. That’s always been what I’ve observed of them. If those of us with fulfilled souls can learn to speak and speak well, we may be able to move our culture and republic in a better direction. Not retreating to the past or abolishing it, but applying its wisdom in new ways for our new time.
I agree with you and your assessment regarding us reaching the end of our spoils from WWII.
I'm not as concerned about the right as I am about the left, but that is because the left is electing officials while the "radical right" is really more like the "politically homeless" who are looking to borrow credibility from the success of the current conservative administration.
But it does seem to me that if the radicals on the left continue to succeed in elections, then those being oppressed by them will have to pursue unorthodox means to defeat them. Hopefully, this is by means of creativity in politics and new ways of approaching radicalism, but a lot depends on how the next set of elections go.
Of course, there is always the alien factor that seems to be popping up from time to time.
Great article. I may not be a high-brow intellectual, but I am quite familiar with the groundbreaking tome you referenced by the literary giant, Michael Rosen. Of course, I am referencing “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” 🤓
These definitely are the symptoms present in our current politic. Whether or not they will precipitate an event remains to be seen, but I don’t like our odds right now.
Excellent article. This new whatever it is in this country is coinciding with my internal journey toward a stronger Christian faith. As I've watched things go sideways politically, I've found myself digging deeper and deeper into my faith. I spend a lot of time thinking about people like Maximilian Kolbe, not that I could be that strong, but to know that there were people that selfless and confident in their faith.
What do you think? Are we headed for a revolution? What testimonies of Christians under totalitarianism do you find most inspiring? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Another good article. I’ll add this one in: a friend of mine is half-Okinawan. He grew up in North Carolina, now lives in Okinawa. His grandmother came to America after the war, and her brothers fought in the imperial army. He became Orthodox, and we frequently talk about the Christian situation in Japan. He said this once. “If I think about Egypt and the fact that God explicitly says he was judging the gods of Egypt, and his plagues all targeted specific gods … well, what better way to judge a nation whose emperor claims to be the descendant of and avatar of the Sun Goddess than by dropping miniature suns on the country twice?”
Regarding revolution, I don’t know. I’m reading Caesar’s Gallic Wars now, and I read Cicero a couple years ago. There are definitely commonalities between us and the Roman republic. I’m also reading The Scarlet Letter again, and seeing Puritan New England government reminds me of a lot of things from our history leading up to the Revolution. Some of that is playing out now, too. I think the one thing that’s certain is that we’ve reached the end of the world our victory in World War II created. That world order is dead, and we’re currently fighting to see what world and worldview will follow. Radicals on both sides have their claimed solutions. But, I also saw a line I liked a lot from Yeats on Substack earlier: “Empty souls trend toward extreme opinions.” The radicals on both sides have empty souls. That’s always been what I’ve observed of them. If those of us with fulfilled souls can learn to speak and speak well, we may be able to move our culture and republic in a better direction. Not retreating to the past or abolishing it, but applying its wisdom in new ways for our new time.
That's a wild story from your friend.
I agree with you and your assessment regarding us reaching the end of our spoils from WWII.
I'm not as concerned about the right as I am about the left, but that is because the left is electing officials while the "radical right" is really more like the "politically homeless" who are looking to borrow credibility from the success of the current conservative administration.
But it does seem to me that if the radicals on the left continue to succeed in elections, then those being oppressed by them will have to pursue unorthodox means to defeat them. Hopefully, this is by means of creativity in politics and new ways of approaching radicalism, but a lot depends on how the next set of elections go.
Of course, there is always the alien factor that seems to be popping up from time to time.
Thanks again for reading. Really appreciate it!
Great article. I may not be a high-brow intellectual, but I am quite familiar with the groundbreaking tome you referenced by the literary giant, Michael Rosen. Of course, I am referencing “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” 🤓
Appreciate your comment’s wit and its slight increase to my articles engagement stats. 😘
Civil war historian David Betz has listed four primary causes of civil wars:
1. Cultural fragmentation, intensified by mass immigration and identity politics.
2. Economic stagnation and inequality, which fuel resentment.
3. Elite overreach, where political and cultural elites are seen as disconnected from the public.
4. A collapse of public confidence.
Betz argues that the United States meets all four criterion.
These definitely are the symptoms present in our current politic. Whether or not they will precipitate an event remains to be seen, but I don’t like our odds right now.
Excellent article. This new whatever it is in this country is coinciding with my internal journey toward a stronger Christian faith. As I've watched things go sideways politically, I've found myself digging deeper and deeper into my faith. I spend a lot of time thinking about people like Maximilian Kolbe, not that I could be that strong, but to know that there were people that selfless and confident in their faith.
Thank you for your kind words.
Maximilian Kolbe is one of my favorite saints. I almost took his name as my confirmation saint.
I have felt the same, that this political moment is pushing me deeper into my faith.
But I also find it encouraging to remember that God will provide the grace necessary to respond to evil in a saintly way.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.