Just like The Matrix movies - the Alt-Right misunderstands the nature of The System; and it does so because it interprets the system's goals in economic, national, racial, sex-political terms.
To analyse Life (including politics) in terms of power-differentials, economics, nationalism, racialism, or sex-politics is objectively and historically Leftism; hence the Alt-Right are (merely) Leftist heretics - and this can be seen by the clear motivation of the movement to take-over The State Apparatus in order to sort-out the economy, harness and encourage national pride, reverse the racism and sexism of the Left and so on.
It's not that these objectives are bad, actually or necessarily, but that these are all Leftist objectives which merely tweak the system without reversing its direction - all of them were historical objectives of radical political movements, mostly in the 18th or 19th century, and all flowed-into modern New Leftism (political correctness, SJWs) for the simple reason that they are this-wordly and gratification-orientated and justified (i.e. utilitarian).
To interpret Life in terms of economic, national, racial, sexual variable just is The Matrix - and it interacts with and amplifies our false selves. To break out from The Matrix requires our true selves perceiving reality beyond sociological abstractions and second-order, short-termist gratifications.
The only true opposition to Leftism would be to put spiritual and religious goals as primary and central to politics; and this isn't something to be smuggled-in when people are looking the wrong way, or on the back of 'sensible' common-sensical reforms to immigration, the economy and the law.
No - if we want to reverse the rocket-propelled sled to suicide and damnation, we must subordinate ALL secular objectives to the primacy of spiritual goals.
Perhaps/ Probably we cannot at this point and from here, go directly to Christianity (although that is the eventual goal); but at least, and as a first-step, we absolutely-must reject the materialism, scientism, positivist, hedonic focus of modernity; and restore spiritual objectives as the natural and universal focus and motivation of human life.
4 comments:
The same pride, anger, resentment, envy, lust for power manifest on both the left and the right. The language used is remarkably similar with only the labels reversed. It doesn't really matter who started it, the fact is that the two sides are close to indistinguishable in attitude and intention to destroy the other. Neither side seems aware that the methods they advocate to achieve their ultimate victory will result in the creation of the very thing they so abhor. To attempt to point this out only brings ridicule and cries of "traitor" or is simply ignored.
I see no solution for this short of the second Advent. There truly is no salvation to be found at the hands of men.
Ah, but it is political. End the 501(c)3 stranglehold on the pulpit and the pastoral guidance on the biblical application to current events can again flow freely to properly condemn government and politics, that to many is seen as god, as antithetical to liberty. This was the spirit of revolution that flowed out of the reformation and culminated in the creation of the Several States we now call America.
As for the Alt-Right, I think you are attempting to ascribe a more libertarian bent to it's adherents than it deserves. Alt-Right IS Nationalism. But it might not even be that yet. It's 'leaders' struggle themselves to define it. How can you ascribe a goal to something that is yet defined? Only to call it's main proprietors, Nationalist I would submit. And you are correct, it means to use the organ of state to it's purposes, no doubt. This it does not deny.
@Fred "I think you are attempting to ascribe a more libertarian bent to it's adherents than it deserves. Alt-Right IS Nationalism. But it might not even be that yet. It's 'leaders' struggle themselves to define it."
Surely that is *precisely* what I said? Anyway, my point is that it is Not primarily spiritual/ religious.
Incidentally, the original Alternative Right webzine (and therefore perhaps the 'movement'?) was a mixture of religious and secular reaction; I contributed two or three Christian-themed pieces as I recall (the archive seems to have disappeared from the web) and so did Jim Kalb.
As to what you quoted from me, what I should have said is that only a libertarian would not think in economic, national, racial, sex-political terms about current events. I think this part of the conversation is going nowhere. I did not express meaning very well. Scratch the whole thought.
On the other hand your point is often that none of these beliefs or actions lead to salvation, of this, the follow of Christ has no doubt. My lessor point is that we are political, saved by the grace of God or otherwise. If it were not so, the Holy Bible would not instruct us on good and bad governance and government. And, after all, the Alt-Right is a movement that is partly or has a part in politics.
I did not know that about webzine or you. Your post seemed to take a critical bent toward the Alt-Right. That's interesting. I actually thought you were what I call a 'Normal', that is somebody who reads the papers or watches the news and thinks that they have a pretty good bead on things. Wow, strange.
I'm reading a lot of material from Alt-Right adherents now. To be honest I had never heard of the Alt-Right until recently. I consider myself a Classical Liberal (Jeffersonian? - perhaps) politically. How the LORD could give somebody (Jefferson) near perfect understanding of His Natural Law yet he could not see the cross is amazing to me.
Sorry, I wandered. I only told you what I have learned of the Alt-Right over the past couple of months as it relates to the context of your blogpost. Hoping a fresh, on the ground, perspective would illuminate. Sadly, not.
Love your writing. I find myself arguing against the text, a vital component to critical thinking. Thanks for the free education.
I linked this post at Gab.
@ProGunFred
#AltRight
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