Fundamentalism
Jul. 19th, 2004 12:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poliphiloReligious fundamentalism thrives in deserts. The Middle East (obviously) and (less obviously) rural Texas- where George W Bush grew up.
I've just been reading an article about W's home town of Midland. Nothing there but grit and oil and everyone believes in the Rapture.
Why? Well I guess that kind of landscape isn't conducive to the kind of romantic nature worship that has softened European Christianity. The bushes (no word-play intended) either grow spikes or they burn. No leaves, no flowers, no green pastures for the sheep to lie down beside.
A simple landscape gives birth to a simple faith.
A violent landscape gives birth to a violent faith.
Jihad, crusade, apocalypse. In a place where life struggles against the environment it's easier to believe, and even love, a doctrine of the imminent End of the World.
I've just been reading an article about W's home town of Midland. Nothing there but grit and oil and everyone believes in the Rapture.
Why? Well I guess that kind of landscape isn't conducive to the kind of romantic nature worship that has softened European Christianity. The bushes (no word-play intended) either grow spikes or they burn. No leaves, no flowers, no green pastures for the sheep to lie down beside.
A simple landscape gives birth to a simple faith.
A violent landscape gives birth to a violent faith.
Jihad, crusade, apocalypse. In a place where life struggles against the environment it's easier to believe, and even love, a doctrine of the imminent End of the World.
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Re: the book
Date: 2004-07-19 01:02 pm (UTC)