NYT: Mass-Market Epiphany

[Bubba_Switzler]

Mysticism is dying, and taking true religion with it. Monasteries have dwindled. Contemplative orders have declined. Our religious leaders no longer preach the renunciation of the world; our culture scoffs at the idea. The closest most Americans come to real asceticism is giving up chocolate, cappuccinos, or (in my own not-quite-Francis-of-Assisi case) meat for lunch for Lent.

This, at least, is the stern message of Luke Timothy Johnson, writing in the latest issue of the Catholic journal Commonweal. As society has become steadily more materialistic, Johnson declares, our churches have followed suit, giving up on the ascetic and ecstatic aspects of religion and emphasizing only the more worldly expressions of faith. Conservative believers fixate on the culture wars, religious liberals preach social justice, and neither leaves room for what should be a central focus of religion — the quest for the numinous, the pursuit of the unnamable, the tremor of bliss and the dark night of the soul.

nytimes.com//2010/03/08/opinion/08douthat.html

 

[curlycool89]

Very interesting read.

I think the biggest thing to take from the story is people’ lack of commitment. In today’s society you aren’t forced to commit to anything long term. The thing is that it’s the long term commitments that end up defining who we are.

For example in the last couple years I’ve been forced to make some hard decisions. Should I go to the local university, or should I pack up and move (for the first time) away to one in a whole other province? I ended up doing the latter. Then at the end of first year for the engineers there’s “choose what you want to do for the rest of your life” day, which is when you have to pick which discipline you want to go into (transferring between them is very hard, and if you make a real radical change then realistically you’re looking at starting over 2nd year). I ended up choosing civil-environmental engineering, but not before attending a bunch of recruitment nights and hours of reading through the calendar and looking at potential classes.

These though decisions are the ones that help you grow and mature.

 

[Bubba_Switzler]

I think the biggest thing to take from the story is people’ lack of commitment. In today’s society you aren’t forced to commit to anything long term. The thing is that it’s the long term commitments that end up defining who we are. …
These though decisions are the ones that help you grow and mature.

Yes, this is an interesting observation. What I’ve noticed is something even worse: a celebration of commitment-phobia. There is an element of modern culture that regards consequences as evil and so avoids meaningful choice. People have a right not to suffer the consequences of their choices. Look how pop culture in tv and movies treats marriage.

 

[curlycool89]

I just thought of something else to add.

Continuing on the idea of commitment and consequences is the word “responsible”. It’s quite funny that it’s become a dirty word in our society. Responsibilities are bad and being free and unattached is what is desired.

It seems that everyone is settling for less. If you break up the word, it becomes response-able, as in you have the ability to respond. I guess that’s why responsibility goes with maturity.

 

[Bubba_Switzler]

Continuing on the idea of commitment and consequences is the word “responsible”. It’s quite funny that it’s become a dirty word in our society. Responsibilities are bad and being free and unattached is what is desired.

Yes, this is very similar to what I was saying. The celebration of the unencomberance of conseuquences.

It seems that everyone is settling for less. If you break up the word, it becomes response-able, as in you have the ability to respond. I guess that’s why responsibility goes with maturity.

What it really boils down to is a bastardized concept of freedom. Freedom is no longer about making your own choices and embracing the consequences of them (e.g. the choice to get married and raise a family). It’s about avoiding responsibility and, to be honest, maturity.