Coming Attractions

[neptunesdolphins]

 In the coming months, I will be posting on various topics.

 

The Metaphysics of Quantum Physics: What is the reality that we live in.

 

“The Night Speaks” by Steven Forest: How quantum physics works with Astrology.

 

Cosmic Structure and Soul Travel: How the Cosmos interacts with souls, and traditional beliefs about that.

 

The Crocodile Gods of Egypt: Ammit and Sobek.

 

Topics in Astrology: Christian Astrology, the Planets explained in detail.

 

New Age Concepts of Dragons: How they differ from traditional lore.

 

“Give Me a Word:” A contemplative practice on receiving a “Word” from the Gods to meditate on.

 

Christian Nationalism: What is it

 

“The Pagan Threat:” What is that about.
 

Are there any topics you want me to tackle or write on?

 

Comments

[pleiadesdreaming]

Something I have been contemplating often is the fate of Christianity and Christian nationalism and paganism in the coming years in the US. I see protestantism and the nationalism that often accompanies it losing momentum, or perhaps even collapsing, in ~20 years, maybe even sooner. On the other hand, I see great potential in paganism rising to meet the spiritual and existential crisis with a degree of success due to its ability to accept and hold space for a variety of practices and experiences. What are your thoughts on future spiritual trends?

[neptunesdolphins]

Actually, it is the opposite. Pagans are converting to orthodox religions and the evangelical forms of Protestantism. It is Paganism that is dying on the vine as the cohort ages, and few new people find their way to the religion. Since the killing of Charlie Kirk, Christianity has exploded in numbers.

The problem lies in the fact that younger people are more Conservative, while the older ones are Liberal. In the No Kings Protests, the majority of people were old, while, and wealthy. They are the ones who tend to be Pagan as well.

Christian Nationalism is something that is hard to pin down. The people doing the defining are the Anti-Trump people, and they have a particular bias. I am still trying to find neutral sources. However, the statistics that have been collected since 2021, have shown a growing percentage of people being Christian Nationalists.

I am curious as to how you see the collapsing of the religion, and the rising of Paganism. The spiritual and existential crisis is what according to you?

[pleiadesdreaming]

I should have clarified- I don't see a return to paganism in a neopagan sense we've observed thus far, but I have noticed that those who haven't "panic converted" to Christianity (I believe the surge in converts you mentioned is a short term phenomenon for reasons I'll get into later) are more interested in paganism as far as it intertwines with philosophy. What I mean by that is while there are a small amount of people getting into traditional or reconstructionist paganism, most people I have seen (in or around my age group, I'm 28) seem less led by ancient rites or worship, like the Athenian calendar, and more by the marriage of philosophy and spirituality without rigid dogma. The rigor and scrutiny of philosophy applied to spiritually is the 'check' against ecstatic episodes of spiritual psychosis, in theory. In practice, you can observe varying levels of success, but I find this to be a promising trend with long term potential for significant cultural impact as opposed to the fear driven converts flocking to Christian churches. It also is distinctly Aquarian in nature.

To be absolutely clear, I'm not hostile to Christianity as a religion. While some of the church's embers still glow warm and bright, ultimately, I see much of their spiritual momentum as spent. People, especially millennials and gen zers, aren't converting because they love Jesus and firmly believe in the tenets he established in the new covenant, they go there because they don't know where else to go to escape the horrifying tide of nihilism we inherited from a materialist world view and the inability for mainline religions to effectively meet our modern challenges (the aforementioned spiritual crisis). Fleeing to the church was the only place to go for centuries, and for a long time, it worked. I'm not sure what you've observed, but most Christians that actually care about their tenets and loving God, wherever they land on the political spectrum, are overwhelmingly in the gen x and older generations. Younger Christians (not all, but many) are far more likely to convert for cultural and/or political reasons and end up using Christianity as a tool to support their stance on... Whatever. I say all this to note that fearful or tribal motivations for joining a religious community isn't usually a recipe for lasting impact. Religions with staying power have both the orderly structure of doctrine and rites and the spiritual flame of love and conviction. I see a dwindling flame in the church.

So in the short term, which I define as ~20 years, I predict a significant waning of Christian influence, especially of the nationalist flavor. However, that's not to say those 20 years are going to gloss over us (I assume you are also American)- we absolutely will feel their reach and influence. So in lieu of Christianity, I definitely don't see neopaganism or traditional reconstructioniat paganism reaching ascendancy, but rather the pagan spirit of syncretism, if that makes sense.

[neptunesdolphins]

I see a missing middle in churches - very old and very young. More people are dying than becoming Christian. I see what you are seeing that people in the middle are seeking relief from a world gone mad. Christianity seems to be the port of safety that people gravitate to. Now, will they be nationalist as in thinking the religious civil religion of America will return? Most of the people I have spoken to miss school prayer, Nativity scenes in front of court houses, and handing out Bibles at schools. Are they the minority? It depends on the region.

I live in Washington D.C. and have seen a growing divide between generations and classes. The older and/ or wealthier generation/class which include professionals and managers are more Progressive, looser in their spirituality, and more for New Age style religions. The younger and/ or poor generation/class tend to be Conservative. Are they Christian, not so many as they are busy trying pay rent and eat. The folks I know who are about 30 years old (I am older.) have at least two to three jobs or have given up. There is a malaise that seems to consume them.

I think the people who flocked to Charlie Kirk's messages are seeking some sort of structure or safety which includes some sort of missionary work such as school prayers etc. Now, will they leave and become more Pagan or mixed? Perhaps since I think it may be a product of maturing, which makes many people more flexible in their spirituality.

As to a diminishing of Christianity and the increasing of Paganism.... I am not so sure what will be. Right now, people are seeking a refuge among the chaos. Paganism does not seem to offer that refuge in the way that people want. Or most people know only Christianity, and go with what they know.

I was raised by Militant Atheists, and saw Christianity from the outside, with Christian Nationalism as the enemy. However, I am not anti-Christian. It is just not my cup of tea.