"There is nothing to equal the metaphysics and political economy of the Catholic tradition." Amen to that.
I highly recommend studying the Summa Theologiae to anyone who can in these coming days of unrest and mental turmoil. I have just started to myself, and the incredibly practical insights into reality and human nature are the education I always needed and never received. Better late than never!
There's nothing like being aligned with reality for living in it well.
The West is in a mess. It turns out that Christianity was indeed a load-bearing pillar. And yes, the evangelical Christianity so influential in America is a heresy, more intent on cheering on America and Israel's brutality than on seeking peace. God’s will to them, bears an awful close resemblance to Netanyahu's desires.
I know that you and Lifesite have been suspicious of Pope Leo, but he has spoken forcefully against this criminal war. Kudos to him for thay.
Any action, like any act of magic, is in some sense an act of faith ... I've seen the desert bloom, the flower that emerges from the barest hint of water, and I know the power of life will rise, stubborn and persistent to be renewed. May our actions be the wind that brings the rain. — Starhawk
Frank, many thanks for your article “Destruction as Religion.”
I just forced myself to watch Trump address the nation. Why do I feel compelled to mock Satan, under his many titles, as I’m being exposed to this “presidential”(?) address?
Perhaps I’m seeing and hearing indications that we may have a religion of destruction rearing its ugly head in the United States, and that perhaps a “god” of this religion of destruction is sometimes clearly manifesting?
Father Malachi Martin has described persons who, tragically, have given themselves over to “perfect possession”, meaning they have ‘struck a deal with the devil’ that they are pleased and satisfied with. Malachi Martin also describes how most people would not ever realize the person is perfectly possessed because it is usually hidden, but occasionally one can catch glimpses of the nature of their possession.
Trump appears at times to be consumed, obsessed, with an expensive ballroom, with various forms of military equipment and methods of destruction, and even threats that reputable reporters refer to as threats of “war crimes.”
At other times, Trump seems to hone in on “destroying” politically, professionally or “however” those he views as his enemies. Prior to the airing of Trump’s address tonight, a reporter announced that there could be a Cabinet shakeup coming that involves Pam Bondi who is scheduled to testify regarding the Epstein Files on April 14th. It doesn’t take much mental effort to guess the connection here.
And yet there are top ranking Republicans who are complicit with Trump’s actions, recently even “honoring”him with awards! Is Trump actually going to start putting his name on our currency? Did Trump, at one point, say that the only force that prevents him from doing whatever he decides to do, is himself? Perhaps someone knows for sure and can find that particular quote.
So yes, I believe that some are fearing and relating to Trump as a kind of “god” with a “religion of destruction.” Why does the US now have what we must refer to as Department of War? And why do we see human beings cowering to such a “god”when Scripture says, ‘resist the devil and he will flee.”
I wonder if the folks who spent a lot of time convincing millennials when they were growing up that "you can be good without God", may not have intended greater happiness, but may have intended to destroy the unique contribution of Christ's suggestion for goodness, distinct from what came before (Judaism) and what came after (Islam). Define goodness.
I'm calling to mind the photo of MBS and Jeevacation, happy together, celebratory.
There is indeed a state religion in the United States. I would argue that the religious fervor of the faithful of United Statesism far exceeds whatever the Taliban ever commanded - epitomized by the hypnotic belief in a manned spaceflight to the Moon - despite all the obvious evidence to the contrary - especially the re-entry problem - but many other articles of faith including magically protective vaccines and magically destructive nuclear weapons. https://peteryim.substack.com/p/the-faith-based-existence-of-nuclear
It's the British imperial system, in which there are some Jews, and the American neocons, in which there are some evangelicals, and the Brussels crowd, which is close to 100% atheist.
The paradigm of post-WW2 is in retreat as Trump 2.0 sets an operational tempo to destroy it, once and for all. It is being replaced by the Hamiltonian American System. It's not "the metaphysics and political economy of the Catholic tradition," but it's a helluva lot better than what we've had for the past 80 years.
Trump's strategy is clearly spelled out in the NSS and the FSOC, and he provides an open book test for existing threats to America: negotiate in good faith so that we can settle this diplomatically, or FAFO. Venezuela and Iran failed the open book test. Zelensky has a D-, but he's on a steep learning curve. Mexico passed and is getting U.S. military help to wipe out the cartels in Jalisco, also home to the world's largest silver deposit and turning off a money spigot for London (pound sterling, anyone?). Cuba looks like it will pass the open book test.
The military victory in Iran is complete. Like Venezuela, it has been done with minimal civilian casualties and few but unfortunate casualties of American forces and her many allies in the Mideast, who are clearly in favor of ending the IRGC/Mullah theocracy. A group of Islamic states are meeting in Islamabad to mediate the peace talks between the possible successor regime in Iran and the U.S. The Brits, EU, Israel and NATO are not at the table.
It is all the fruits of the Enlightenment and the French revolution.
This is the end state of "state" as god.
It failed. You cannot destroy your way to utopia.
The 300yr old " Age of Reason " was never reasonable. (If know your history).
Which God is god, pray tell?
I thought the EU was a German idea.
Ok, I always thought that it came out of the Mitteleuropa idea. Live and learn. Thanks.
Wyndham Lewis gives a neglected but interesting reading of the Great War and what it made and unmade of of Europe.
"There is nothing to equal the metaphysics and political economy of the Catholic tradition." Amen to that.
I highly recommend studying the Summa Theologiae to anyone who can in these coming days of unrest and mental turmoil. I have just started to myself, and the incredibly practical insights into reality and human nature are the education I always needed and never received. Better late than never!
There's nothing like being aligned with reality for living in it well.
Interesting essay.
The West is in a mess. It turns out that Christianity was indeed a load-bearing pillar. And yes, the evangelical Christianity so influential in America is a heresy, more intent on cheering on America and Israel's brutality than on seeking peace. God’s will to them, bears an awful close resemblance to Netanyahu's desires.
I know that you and Lifesite have been suspicious of Pope Leo, but he has spoken forcefully against this criminal war. Kudos to him for thay.
"There is nothing to equal the metaphysics and political economy of the Catholic tradition."
Bingo! Priceless.
Thank you so much Mr Frank Wright.
Any action, like any act of magic, is in some sense an act of faith ... I've seen the desert bloom, the flower that emerges from the barest hint of water, and I know the power of life will rise, stubborn and persistent to be renewed. May our actions be the wind that brings the rain. — Starhawk
Love your work, Frank!
4/1/26
Frank, many thanks for your article “Destruction as Religion.”
I just forced myself to watch Trump address the nation. Why do I feel compelled to mock Satan, under his many titles, as I’m being exposed to this “presidential”(?) address?
Perhaps I’m seeing and hearing indications that we may have a religion of destruction rearing its ugly head in the United States, and that perhaps a “god” of this religion of destruction is sometimes clearly manifesting?
Father Malachi Martin has described persons who, tragically, have given themselves over to “perfect possession”, meaning they have ‘struck a deal with the devil’ that they are pleased and satisfied with. Malachi Martin also describes how most people would not ever realize the person is perfectly possessed because it is usually hidden, but occasionally one can catch glimpses of the nature of their possession.
Trump appears at times to be consumed, obsessed, with an expensive ballroom, with various forms of military equipment and methods of destruction, and even threats that reputable reporters refer to as threats of “war crimes.”
At other times, Trump seems to hone in on “destroying” politically, professionally or “however” those he views as his enemies. Prior to the airing of Trump’s address tonight, a reporter announced that there could be a Cabinet shakeup coming that involves Pam Bondi who is scheduled to testify regarding the Epstein Files on April 14th. It doesn’t take much mental effort to guess the connection here.
And yet there are top ranking Republicans who are complicit with Trump’s actions, recently even “honoring”him with awards! Is Trump actually going to start putting his name on our currency? Did Trump, at one point, say that the only force that prevents him from doing whatever he decides to do, is himself? Perhaps someone knows for sure and can find that particular quote.
So yes, I believe that some are fearing and relating to Trump as a kind of “god” with a “religion of destruction.” Why does the US now have what we must refer to as Department of War? And why do we see human beings cowering to such a “god”when Scripture says, ‘resist the devil and he will flee.”
Love you Frank. What's the deal with your latest LSNTV videos being deleted?
I wonder if the folks who spent a lot of time convincing millennials when they were growing up that "you can be good without God", may not have intended greater happiness, but may have intended to destroy the unique contribution of Christ's suggestion for goodness, distinct from what came before (Judaism) and what came after (Islam). Define goodness.
I'm calling to mind the photo of MBS and Jeevacation, happy together, celebratory.
Thank you for your work. May God guide us in His way.
I couldn’t agree more!!
There is indeed a state religion in the United States. I would argue that the religious fervor of the faithful of United Statesism far exceeds whatever the Taliban ever commanded - epitomized by the hypnotic belief in a manned spaceflight to the Moon - despite all the obvious evidence to the contrary - especially the re-entry problem - but many other articles of faith including magically protective vaccines and magically destructive nuclear weapons. https://peteryim.substack.com/p/the-faith-based-existence-of-nuclear
"The piano has been drinking, not me." --Tom Waits
It's not the Joos.
It's the British imperial system, in which there are some Jews, and the American neocons, in which there are some evangelicals, and the Brussels crowd, which is close to 100% atheist.
The paradigm of post-WW2 is in retreat as Trump 2.0 sets an operational tempo to destroy it, once and for all. It is being replaced by the Hamiltonian American System. It's not "the metaphysics and political economy of the Catholic tradition," but it's a helluva lot better than what we've had for the past 80 years.
Trump's strategy is clearly spelled out in the NSS and the FSOC, and he provides an open book test for existing threats to America: negotiate in good faith so that we can settle this diplomatically, or FAFO. Venezuela and Iran failed the open book test. Zelensky has a D-, but he's on a steep learning curve. Mexico passed and is getting U.S. military help to wipe out the cartels in Jalisco, also home to the world's largest silver deposit and turning off a money spigot for London (pound sterling, anyone?). Cuba looks like it will pass the open book test.
The military victory in Iran is complete. Like Venezuela, it has been done with minimal civilian casualties and few but unfortunate casualties of American forces and her many allies in the Mideast, who are clearly in favor of ending the IRGC/Mullah theocracy. A group of Islamic states are meeting in Islamabad to mediate the peace talks between the possible successor regime in Iran and the U.S. The Brits, EU, Israel and NATO are not at the table.
What a great time to be alive.
https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/CreativeDestruction.html
Was it state religion when Jefferson went to war with the Barbary pirates?