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Christ & Antichrist
in Today’s Politics a la Thomas Aquinas, continued 09/03/2024 |
A second citation from Aquinas on the first page of my new book invokes his teachings that a democracy is preferable to a tyranny “where the advantage of one man is sought.” |
Aquinas attributes this passion to “greed” and tells us that a tyrant “oppresses” the body of others (that is to say, economic injustice reigns). It is clear that forbidding women to make decisions about their own bodies is also a gross oppression of the body. |
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Aquinas also calls a tyrant out for “threatening the spiritual growth” of his subjects because “he is set on his own power, not their progress." Yes, narcissism is named here and it too is real. He offers an uncanny observation that is 100% clear in Trump’s world, “a tyrant is more fearful of
good persons than of bad persons, for he dreads their strange virtue.” Yes, virtue is strange to those bent on power for power’s sake. Trump says those who died defending democracy are “suckers” and “losers.” Their generosity, i.e. virtue, is utterly strange to him. Some people do give more than they take
and for tyrants that is not understandable. Dr. King of course did that. |
“What is wrong with these people?” MSNBC anchor
Ali Velshi speaks out on the Arlington Cemetery confrontation and the First Felon’s doubling down. | Aquinas
points out that a tyrant goes after groups of good people in his “wicked despotism” in order to “destroy good people’s confidence in one another” and the possibility they will unite “to throw off his yoke.” What methods does a tyrant employ to bring about division? “He
sows |
discord among them and encourages dissensions and litigation.” Has anyone ever litigated more often than Donald Trump? And not hesitated to destroy a judicial system in the process? A third citation from Aquinas addresses greed which is so central to Trump’s presence in the world. “Avarice gives rise to insensibility to compassion.” In fact, it kills compassion and kills the heart of those bent on riches alone. Citing Scripture, Aquinas reminds us that “an avaricious man shall not be satisfied with money.” Aquinas employs words like “force, violence, deceit, falsehood, perjury, and fraud” to name how greedy people accomplish their goals. |
Aquinas is uncanny insofar as his analysis of a despot or tyrant applies to Mr. Trump, who is abetted of course by an antichrist Supreme Court, and all those politicians who sell their souls out of greed for power and abandon their conscience to approve of his every move. |
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We know we are talking about the antichrist because Christ teaches compassion, and all the dark money and dark SCOTUS decisions and dark forces embellished by these politicians and their bought justices are the opposite of compassion. “The poor—even Mother Earth—be damned!” is their battle cry. The dignity of others is ignored. All this is just the first page of my new book. It has taken me two long daily meditations just to summarize it partially. I recommend reading this opening page of Aquinas and meditating on it yourself. It is fitting, I believe, to launch a book on the
antichrist in today’s politics, with observations about political tyranny by one of the greatest minds and souls and saints of Christian history. One “fights the worst with the best” as the saying goes. One must deepen one’s Christ consciousness if one is to battle the antichrist. To be continued. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Trump & MAGA as Antichrist: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, p. ix.
See Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society.
And Fox, The Pope’s War: How Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Imperiled the Church
and How It Can Be Saved.
And Fox, Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality.
Banner Image: Protestor In front of the Supreme Court as Presidential immunity is argued in Trump v. United States. Photo by Victoria Pickering on
Flickr. |
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Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Queries for Contemplation |
Do you agree with Aquinas that greed or avarice kills compassion and gives birth to “force, violence, deceit, falsehood, perjury, and fraud”? And that tyrants employ methods of causing dissension and endless litigation and fear people of virtue? |
Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election
Matthew Fox tells us that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s
rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity.
From the Foreword: If there was ever a time, a moment, for examining the archetype of the Antichrist, it is now…Read this book with an open mind. Good and evil are real forces in our world. ~~ Caroline
Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Conversations with the Divine. |
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Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil
that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly
masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
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The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved
The Pope’s War offers a provocative look at three decades of corruption in the
Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic Christianity.
“This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope.
“In the gripping The Pope’s War, Matthew Fox takes an unwavering look at the layers of corruption in the Catholic Church, holding moral truth against power.” — Jason Berry, author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II |
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Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Matthew Fox lays out a whole new direction for Christianity—a direction that is in fact very ancient and very grounded in Jewish thinking (the fact that Jesus was a Jew
is often neglected by Christian theology): the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality, the Vias Positiva, Negativa, Creativa and Transformativa in an extended and deeply developed way.
“Original Blessing makes available to the Christian world and to the human community a radical cure for all dark and derogatory views of the natural world wherever these may have originated.” –Thomas Berry, author,
The Dream of the Earth; The Great Work; co-author, The Universe Story |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision
to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ "Matthew Fox offers a resounding affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton, and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478
Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, September 19, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "Preserving Things in the Good" at the Unity of Walnut Creek Earth Day worship service held on April 21, 2024. |
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