Cultural Backlash: An Open Post

[causticus]

There 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.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

As a universalist, and as someone who is raised Christian, but more at home in polytheism, I do talk to other Christians and can share in some of the philosophy, but I always have to curb my tongue around certain issues. Many don't seem to notice at all, and some have thought I am Christian. It's a source of some anxiety for me because I have been somewhat public about my occultism online and in public-public in the past, but don't know if that will ever come back to me in a bad way.

I think a lot about hiding in plain sight.

Anonymous Anonymous

[causticus]

In general, regardless of the faith or denomination in question, ordinary people are going to feel varying degrees of discomfort (or even outright hostility) toward esoteric explanations of their faith.

I think a lot of this is due to the centuries of crass materialism that's been inflicted on our civilization. People either fear or dismiss the unseen.

[(Anonymous)]

I agree to a point. While the Second Religiosity, as I mentioned above in the thread Jeff started, could be seen as a shallower acceptance of religion, the trials and travails of decline could lead others back to having some core religious experiences. As society deindustrializes that might lead people into the realm of the mystical and magical, especially if they have experiences like answered prayer and revelations studying religion or attending a service. This might open them up to the unseen and alternative explanations.

AA

[causticus]

Oh I agree those experiences will certainly happen for some if enough people start attending old-style sacramental churches.

The would be very interesting (and welcomed!) if such experiences brought on honest inquires into mystical and occult teachings.