I like the iron girders metaphor. But speaking non metaphorically, what are those girders exactly? A reverence for god? A general belief in something higher than oneself?
Well no, more just traditional values in general, most of which are Christian, like a strong family with a man at the head of the household, punishing trespasses, and women being virtuous.
A year so after this was written, I am contemplating along similar lines, especially regard Nietzsche. Society needs a functional belief system in something outside of ourselves in order to remain sane. Rationality has failed and the "church" is in ruins, yes, but not the belief in something metaphysical, or a creator or something beyond. Astral may see this as "plunder[ing] the iron girders," but I am rather hoping it will lead to an eventual rebirth.
Nietzche did not know or understand true Christianity. He had before him the degenerate Christian society which had lost the heroic spirit. And he rose with passionate indignation against this decadent, bourgeois Christianity.
The weakness and insignificance of the Christians prevented him from seeing the strength and greatness of Christianity. Christianity is the greatest power of resistance to the power of the world. Christian morality interpreted not legalistically but in the inner, spiritual sense, means aquisition of spiritual power in all things. Christian virtue is not compliance to norm and duty but strength and power.
It is difficult to realize Christian righteousness in life because it runs counter both to our deep primeval instincts and to values we find diffucult to renounce.
Only God can spell Nietzsche correctly and consistently, so you are forgiven. :)
I have a different take on things. In my view, Nietzsche was a man beset by tragedy and suffering who grieved the loss of God.
Nietzsche's father was a preacher but died horribly of a possible brain tumour when Friedrich was five years old (Friedrich would share his father's fate). It would be unavoidable that this would have profound effects on both Friedrich and his sister. Moreover, (and I speculate here) it would have primed Friedrich to reject the idea of a loving God in later life.
The age in which Nietzsche lived was also one in which science came to challenge religious belief over how the universe worked. The growing scientific consensus of that time was the universe ran like clockwork without the need for God (*). How I understand Nietzsche's work is that he had accepted the absence of God, but prophesied over the terrible consequences for the sanity of mankind in the centuries ahead.
I would argue that Christianity thrives under oppression and suffering. It is the very comfortable life that many in the west have had over recent years which has led to its fall, for duty and strength are not required when times are good.
I suspect there will be a resurgence of Christian belief in the years ahead.
(*) The consesus was wrong, as it often is. 20th century physics blew 19th century determinism out of the water, but the implications have yet to reach the mainstream psyche.
I like the iron girders metaphor. But speaking non metaphorically, what are those girders exactly? A reverence for god? A general belief in something higher than oneself?
Well no, more just traditional values in general, most of which are Christian, like a strong family with a man at the head of the household, punishing trespasses, and women being virtuous.
Really good!
Thank you for reading
Appreciate your response
Best read in a while! Keep it up!
Glad you felt that way!
A year so after this was written, I am contemplating along similar lines, especially regard Nietzsche. Society needs a functional belief system in something outside of ourselves in order to remain sane. Rationality has failed and the "church" is in ruins, yes, but not the belief in something metaphysical, or a creator or something beyond. Astral may see this as "plunder[ing] the iron girders," but I am rather hoping it will lead to an eventual rebirth.
Great article indeed!
Nietzche did not know or understand true Christianity. He had before him the degenerate Christian society which had lost the heroic spirit. And he rose with passionate indignation against this decadent, bourgeois Christianity.
The weakness and insignificance of the Christians prevented him from seeing the strength and greatness of Christianity. Christianity is the greatest power of resistance to the power of the world. Christian morality interpreted not legalistically but in the inner, spiritual sense, means aquisition of spiritual power in all things. Christian virtue is not compliance to norm and duty but strength and power.
You would think then that Christianity has only devolved further, wouldn’t you?
It is difficult to realize Christian righteousness in life because it runs counter both to our deep primeval instincts and to values we find diffucult to renounce.
Only God can spell Nietzsche correctly and consistently, so you are forgiven. :)
I have a different take on things. In my view, Nietzsche was a man beset by tragedy and suffering who grieved the loss of God.
Nietzsche's father was a preacher but died horribly of a possible brain tumour when Friedrich was five years old (Friedrich would share his father's fate). It would be unavoidable that this would have profound effects on both Friedrich and his sister. Moreover, (and I speculate here) it would have primed Friedrich to reject the idea of a loving God in later life.
The age in which Nietzsche lived was also one in which science came to challenge religious belief over how the universe worked. The growing scientific consensus of that time was the universe ran like clockwork without the need for God (*). How I understand Nietzsche's work is that he had accepted the absence of God, but prophesied over the terrible consequences for the sanity of mankind in the centuries ahead.
I would argue that Christianity thrives under oppression and suffering. It is the very comfortable life that many in the west have had over recent years which has led to its fall, for duty and strength are not required when times are good.
I suspect there will be a resurgence of Christian belief in the years ahead.
(*) The consesus was wrong, as it often is. 20th century physics blew 19th century determinism out of the water, but the implications have yet to reach the mainstream psyche.
Christianity gives meaning to suffering and makes it endurable.
Indeed.
awesome!
Thank you so much
Enjoyed this a lot