Cultural Backlash: An Open Post
Sep. 23rd, 2025 11:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
causticusThere were some interesting discussions on yesterday's Magic Monday post and on the past month's or so posts on the Ecosophia blog regarding the collapse of alternative spirituality in the West and a likely impending cultural backlash against decades of general rot and grubbiness that is decaying our civilization from within.
Some of us here in the US are afraid that a sudden cultural jolt in the other direction, away from leftism/progressivism, will result in any type of spirituality that doesn't fit a narrow, literalist Christian/Abrahamic format as being seen by the reaction mob as "part of the problem." Anything the people leading and directing this backlash deem to be adjacent to the aforementioned cultural rot will be lazily lumped together into one big, bad conspiracy against what they believe they are trying to save and preserve. This likely means anything occult/esoteric, overtly pagan, or too foreign will be included, with very little nuance. As we know, the moral collapse of both Neopaganism and the postmodern occult scene hasn't helped matters at all in this respect, especially in light of recent tragic events.
Anyway, I want to know what anyone else here thinks of this and anything in your own area (US or somewhere else) you have seen indicative of a new cultural direction that may or or may not involve the condemnation of the things I listed above (or anything else that comes to mind). Also, we could use this space to think up ideas on how to preserve and carry on various spiritual teachings and practices if/when an intolerant religious climate becomes reality.
This is an open post that will stay open for quite a long time.
Some of us here in the US are afraid that a sudden cultural jolt in the other direction, away from leftism/progressivism, will result in any type of spirituality that doesn't fit a narrow, literalist Christian/Abrahamic format as being seen by the reaction mob as "part of the problem." Anything the people leading and directing this backlash deem to be adjacent to the aforementioned cultural rot will be lazily lumped together into one big, bad conspiracy against what they believe they are trying to save and preserve. This likely means anything occult/esoteric, overtly pagan, or too foreign will be included, with very little nuance. As we know, the moral collapse of both Neopaganism and the postmodern occult scene hasn't helped matters at all in this respect, especially in light of recent tragic events.
Anyway, I want to know what anyone else here thinks of this and anything in your own area (US or somewhere else) you have seen indicative of a new cultural direction that may or or may not involve the condemnation of the things I listed above (or anything else that comes to mind). Also, we could use this space to think up ideas on how to preserve and carry on various spiritual teachings and practices if/when an intolerant religious climate becomes reality.
This is an open post that will stay open for quite a long time.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-26 10:03 pm (UTC)I've been deeply concerned how recent events will impact the changing religious landscape and the possibility of a new "anticult" movement. in my county the Neopagan scene is small, but present, and unfortunately it leans to the left (I've learned to keep my trap shut whenever politics come up). If there are conservative, libertarian, or moderate Pagans and occultists in my area they're not in the local Neopagan scene as far as I can tell. There's going to be a monthly meetup tonight, so I'm going to see what the vibe currently is. There is some young blood, but most of the movers and shakers are Boomers and Gen X.
On a tangential note, I've noticed the local Goth scene is pretty Woke as well. Every time I attend the local Goth festival I frequently see groomer flags and Satanic sigils. Not a good sign of their survivability.
I don't know what the local Christian response has been to recent events. I live in a largely Hispanic area with an aging and moribund Anglo culture, and I know there's a couple of botanicas in town.
I am encouraged to see more traditionalist and conservative Pagans and occultists emerging on social media (although the folkish aspects aren't my cuppa, and I can do without the explicitly racist and antisemetic nonsense).
I've also been thinking of how to preserve alternative spirituality. Three things I'd like to do are these:
1) in the short term I'd like to start an ecumenical/interspiritual book club dedicated to Platonist, Pythagorean, and Hermetic spirituality, and gradually introduce lodge elements like simple quarter calls and representations of the elements present. This could serve as an outer court to a society dedicated to the Path of Return.
2) I would like to start a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of rejected knowledge, which would include alternative spirituality in addition to practical skills. It would be modeled on groups like the Theosophical Society and Christian Science reading rooms.
3) as a Christopagan occultist who's spent years on and off in discernment towards ordination (previously with a mainstream church, now in the weird world of independent esoteric churches) and if I ever do become ordained I would like to open a ministry or parish to those of alternative beliefs and practices and provide them sanctuary and "respectable" cover. As long as they're comfortable with Christian symbolism and abide by a standard of magical ethics.
I'm just spitballing ideas and seeing what sticks. I could also be babbling. Thank you for hearing me out, I would appreciate any feedback. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Sanctuary of the Rose and Chalice.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-27 03:08 pm (UTC)If you don't mind, please let us know about the vibe you picked up at that meeting. Though I have no recent experiences with IRL paganism, I'd venture to guess it's rather leftist and woke.
I don't know how representative online paganism is of paganism overall, but current day pagans who are most vocal about being pagans online (as you probably know already) tend to be either woke leftists or white nationalists/identitarians. There's a few who are moderates, libertarians, and conservatives but their voices tend to get drowned out by the former types. Unfortunately, most religion and spirituality these days has become a front for politics.
1. You're speaking my language here. I'd be very interested in a group like this!
2. Ditto on this as well.
3. I suspect the esoteric Christian churches and orgs will go the same way as Neopagan groups have gone, if they haven't already.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-27 04:35 pm (UTC)I wasn’t able to attend this month’s meeting as planned, I’ll have to try again next month. But outside the friendships I’ve established I’m probably not missing much.
As for esoteric churches, I largely agree with the assessment that they are dying off as well. Although, the ones I’m interested are more interested in ordination as personal spiritual development and are more quasi-monastic than parochial. If they have congregations they’re more like sacramental house churches.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-30 04:12 pm (UTC)I do hope a spirit of ecumenicism can return to the churches. Christianities insistence on being the only true path is one of the most major turn offs for me going deeper that way.
Anonymous Anonymous
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-30 06:05 pm (UTC)