Followers of Extinction Rebellion seem to me mainly young folk on a sort of religious crusade, not a war of the cross, but a war against climate change and ecological disaster.
It could be defined as a religion, if by religion one means deeply held belief, a creed, that influences behaviour, views, lifestyle, and demands a commitment to certain values and practices. Not all religions are theistic and God affirming.
Extinction Rebellion (ER) preaches a prescient message and proclaims prophesies of doom, death and destruction. It has an eschatological dimension. It has produced its martyrs, bearing witness and being arrested on the streets of large cities for their cause.
Young people, particularly, have found and embraced a movement which gives them meaning, a message and significance. Going on a demonstration is a sort of religious experience, a pilgrimage, a journey of faith at a time when the future seems to them doubtful, dark and dismal.
It is a truly apocalyptic faith and as chilling in its predictions as parts of the Book of Revelation.
Fiery times are ahead if we believe in 2 Peter 3: 10, but I doubt if many ER adherents would consider or reflect on verses 11-14. For some the end times will be extremely bleak. But those who are in Christ shall look forward to many mansions in a new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness.
It could be defined as a religion, if by religion one means deeply held belief, a creed, that influences behaviour, views, lifestyle, and demands a commitment to certain values and practices. Not all religions are theistic and God affirming.
Extinction Rebellion (ER) preaches a prescient message and proclaims prophesies of doom, death and destruction. It has an eschatological dimension. It has produced its martyrs, bearing witness and being arrested on the streets of large cities for their cause.
Young people, particularly, have found and embraced a movement which gives them meaning, a message and significance. Going on a demonstration is a sort of religious experience, a pilgrimage, a journey of faith at a time when the future seems to them doubtful, dark and dismal.
It is a truly apocalyptic faith and as chilling in its predictions as parts of the Book of Revelation.
Fiery times are ahead if we believe in 2 Peter 3: 10, but I doubt if many ER adherents would consider or reflect on verses 11-14. For some the end times will be extremely bleak. But those who are in Christ shall look forward to many mansions in a new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness.
3 comments:
Rebellion is...like the sin of divination and presumption, arrogance is like iniquity and idolatry. Is there a spirit of anarchy and lawlessness within the ER movement that will bring more chaos and discord? Will it sow the seeds of self destruction and disaster? Sowing in the flesh brings corruption.
There is concern that ER is a bandwagon that malcontents, moaners, morons and mischief makers will jump on and join.
Thinking of the implications of policing the protests by XR, as the press call the movement, the opportunity costs, the carbon footprints and the consequential criminal activity when the police are other wise engaged, the factors need to be taken into account. Will we be any the wiser and any better off as a result of this low resolution XR narrative?
Post a Comment