Saturday, June 28, 2008

Trustworthy Guide in Darkening Times

Ninny, Birkenstock-clad, thinnin-haired, pony-tailed neo-paganism seems all the rage as aging 68'ers begin to feel the looming need for transcendence (read: the creeping sense of their mortality). These are like the feeble attempts by preschool-aged children to create on their own semblances of civilization around puddles with bits of mud and twig and plaything. They believe that comng out of one's own "unconscious" (a perfectly good adjective; a sham as a noun), this must be "authentic spirituality." Whatever that is.

But real neo-paganism is on the rise. It manifests itself (a) two or three generations out after the rejection or neglect of the Christian revelation, or (b) in full blown human sacrifice "sanctioned" by its ostensible religious prohibitions. Like this. Or like this. Or this. Or this.

True paganism is synonymous with what René Girard deems "the primitive Sacred." His efforts at explicating the taxonomy of the most vile aspects of the fallen human race have laid open in forensic detail what Catholic faith, truth, and morals have for aeons taught and guarded through her Magisterium to this day.

We are blessed to have such a trustworthy helper to the work of the Church in these darkening and fear-ridden days. Girard is a faithful son of the Church and guide for those seeking truth, goodness, and beauty. We would do well to study and inwardly digest his wisdom while taking part in the sacramental life of Mother Church.

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