From: deane@binah.cc.brandeis.edu
Subject: ENR
Reply-To: deane@binah.cc.brandeis.edu
Organization: Brandeis University
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 00:12:02 GMT

In reply to Mr. Kalb's comments: I am at a disadvantage in some respects
as I am limited at this point to what the ENR has had printed in English
(i.e., not much). Here is what I know: the ENR is indeed very much influ-
enced by Nietzsche. They are mostly interested in modern philosophers, not
ancient ones. I gather that they admire the pre-Socratic philosophers, though
(I know nothing about this, so won't comment). I am not sure if they "owe
allegiance" to any non-Christian or non-totalitarian Europe of the past, at
least, I don't think that that is how their thinking works. Rather, they
seem more interested in using the organic societies of Europe's past (Christ-
ian and Pagan) as inspiration towards some future project. The answere to
your question would depend on who you asked: the ENR is a very loose move-
ment with no fixed dogmas or agreed on plan of action. Many would point to
the pagan world before the rise of universal religions (Christianity was
not the only one, even then). Others would find much to admire in the Holy
Roman Empire, which tolerated local and regional diversity, and was very
decentralized (too decentralized, others would point out!).

Why did Europe become Christian if said religion was unEuropean? Why do
any changes occur? It is important to remember that the Christianity of
early Europe was heavily paganized: saints, holidays, rituals - none of
these have anything to do with early Christianity. Only the theology of
the medieval church (by the way, any members of the Society for Creative
Anachronism reading this? No?) was "Christian" - in many cases, pagan
gods, goddess, and practices were taken over en toto by the Church. So,
until recently, the pagan/Christian conflict was not as stark as one 
would think. The Protestant Reformation changed this - it was essentially
rationalistic in character. From Protestantism to Deism to Atheism to our
modern secular society - this was a logical progression, once it was felt
necessary to root out "superstition" in the name of "true Christianity"
or later "Reason", "Democracy" or whatever is the fashionable idol of
the moment. Crudely put by me, this is essentially the ENR arguement. To
paraphrase one of the ENR thinkers, never has Europe been more under the
influence of Judeo-Christian thought, precisely att the moment when the
churches and synagogues of Europe are empty. In many ways, our modern
political ideologies are secularized Christian heresies. 

I should point out that ENR's "paganism" does not necessarily mean the
revival of ancient religions - I am aware that some are doing this - u
but rather, they mean by paganism a certain mentality, a "new hellenism"
which can provide menaing and spiritual impetus to a rejuvenated Europe.

I suspect the ENR would agree with Plato's outline of social decay. I know
I do. The ENR agrees with some of Popper's ideas on totalitarianism, and
(Karl) Popper accused Plato of being "the first totalitarian". Not sure
the ENR would agree. Plato, in the Republic, is fixed on the one aim of
building a strong, stable state, but there is no hint of the messianic
desire to make the whole world adhere to his blueprint. An interesting
problem.

I'm not sure if the transformations you mentioned are taking place as 
slowly as you might think - if anything, technology has speeded the 
process up. Perhaps the speed of change will be so disruptive that we
will see unexpected resistance on the part of common people. Or perhaps
technology has satiated and corrupted people so much that they will put
up with almost anything. Either way, our power to influence events is
practically nil, and our civilization is doomed, eventually, any way.
And yet we must act as if this were not so, if our lives are to have
meaning.

Apologies for my typos and excessive verbiage!

Pessimistically yours,

David Matthew Deane

"We are but dust" (Death in June)
Newsgroups: alt.revolution.counter