The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox
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Leadership, Past and PresentBy Gianluigi Gugliermetto 9/11/2025
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After 9/11/2001, the world changed for the Arab populations more than for anybody else. The criminal invasion of Iraq in 2003 provoked around 200,000 direct casualties and about 300,000 indirect deaths. The Arab Spring of 2010 let hope rise for entire populations, but was dramatically followed by the rise of ISIS and the Syrian civil war, as well as tragic upsets in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and elsewhere. The ethnic cleansing of Palestinians has been going on since 1948,
but today it has reached huge proportions. |
In this context, I would like to spotlight Tony Blair. Twenty years ago, together with G.W.Bush, he started the Iraq war, knowing quite well that the intelligence about weapons of mass destruction was faulty. In 2016, Blair issued a half-hearted apology because |
“How the Arab Spring Started and How It Affected the World.” HISTORY |
the
Chilcot report — an official document of the UK government — found that his fatal decision was grounded on nothing. Last week, the same Tony Blair was at the White House discussing as-yet undisclosed plans for the future of Gaza. Apparently, being a war criminal in a region of the world gains you expertise in the same region. I am not interested in attacking Blair as an individual, but in asking a question that has tormented me for quite a while: why are Western democracies allowing, or even favoring, the ascent to power of people who lack true moral consciousness, even showing signs of sociopathic behaviors, yet flaunt their morality and their religiosity? Other very visible examples of this are Donald Trump and the neofascist Italian head of government Giorgia Meloni. Blair allegedly wrote in his autobiography — yes, people like him publish autobiographies instead of hiding in a cave atoning for their sins — that he was always more interested in religion than in politics. Which is a tragic admission — if you ask me — and is made even more sinister by the fact that Blair’s Catholicism is of the
Opus Dei variety and his hero was John Paul II. |
“Spanish PM steps up scathing criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.” Guardian
News | Again — I ask —why many of those who govern huge portions of the world, and are elected through
democratic systems, know nothing about diplomacy, have no clue about the economy, have no moral standards, and are broken inside? |
There are some exceptions, such as the wonderful Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister of Spain. If we believe that the morality, knowledge, and soundness of the people in power reflect the prevalence of the same in their societies, we should conclude that Spaniards in 2025 are enormously more advanced than, for example, Italians. To some extent they are, but in reality, Spain is at risk of moving toward the right just like any other Western country, and France
right now looks to be just a few steps away from the return of fascism. In a recent book, Matthew Fox made the case for the roots of democracy to be found in Jesus’ preaching the equal dignity of every human being, with Meister Eckhart following suit and proclaiming the nobility and equality of all. Says Eckhart: If I
were to lead people, they would never follow me with pleasure if they did not receive equality with me. For a movement or deed is never accomplished with pleasure in the absence of equality. |
Eckhart is right, because he talks about following with pleasure. When people support leaders like Trump, Meloni, or Blair, they don’t do it with true pleasure of the heart, with joy and liberty. They do it instead because they are captive of feelings of fear, hate, and shame. They are mesmerized and feel elevated to the |
US Republicans welcome a neo-fascist: Giorgia Meloni speaks at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida. Photo by Hermann Tertsch y Victor Gonzalez on Wikimedia Commons. |
presumed grand stance
of their leaders. On the contrary, followers of leaders such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Pedro Sánchez experience pure and simple equality. Their rallies are filled with joy, despite the darkness of the moment. These leaders are able to make people feel they are sitting all together in a circle on the
ground. It’s not, therefore, just a matter of political ideas and taking sides. The infamous Blair was the leader of Labour in the UK, and the appalling Starmer today is just the same. It’s time that we talk about leadership in a much deeper sense. It’s perfectly possible that a progressive leader — in any organization — is
power-grabbing and thus should be excluded. The crisis of leadership that the West is undergoing has reached perhaps its apex with the double election of Trump. It’s the responsibility of people who are morally and spiritually alert to check on candidates for leadership at all levels of society, becoming much smarter in
choosing future leaders, and throwing all our support behind those who exhibit the human qualities that we would like to see in a prospective spouse or in our children. Nothing less is fine, as the risk of electing potential war criminals is very real. |
See Matthew Fox, Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ, page 35.
See also Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Also Fox, Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation
And Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
And Fox, The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be
Saved
And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
Banner Image: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wave to an enthusiastic crowd at a “Fight Oligarchy” rally in Tempe, Arizona. Photo by Gage
Skidmore on Flickr.
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Queries for Contemplation What is your experience with supporting
candidates for any office? What are the spiritual qualities that you require in them? |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialogue, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field.
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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. For immediate access to Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, order the e-book with 10 full-color prints from Amazon HERE. To get a print-on-demand paperback copy with black & white
images, order from Amazon HERE or IUniverse HERE. To receive a limited-edition, full-color paperback copy, order from MatthewFox.org HERE. Order the audiobook HERE for immediate download. |
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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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Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation
Authors Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox encourage us to use our talents in service of compassion and justice and to
move beyond our broken systems–economic, political, educational, and religious–discovering a spirituality that not only helps us to get along, but also encourages us to reevaluate our traditions, transforming them and in the process building a more sacred and just world. Incorporating the words of young activist leaders culled from interviews and surveys, the book provides a framework that is deliberately interfaith and speaks to our profound yearning for a life with spiritual purpose and for a
better world. “Occupy Spirituality is a powerful, inspiring, and vital call to embodied awareness and enlightened actions.” ~~ Julia Butterfly Hill, environmental activist and author of The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman, and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods |
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Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South
American Liberation Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator. “A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality
and Practice. “I am reading Liberating Gifts for the People of the Earth by Matt Fox. He is one that fills my heart and mind for new life in spite of so much that is violent in our world.” ~ Sister Dorothy Stang. |
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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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The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a
sublime roadmap for spirituality and action. Foreword by Ilia Delio. “What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.” –Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Whee! We, Wee All the Way Home: A Guide to Sensual, Prophetic Spirituality, in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, September 18, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE.
Join Matthew Fox and 40 other wisdom teachers in the 2025 Contemplative Summit as they explore The Spacious Heart: Holding Suffering with Love, the theme of Spiritual Wanderlust: The 2025 Contemplative Summit. Thursday - Sunday, September 25-28 Register for free HERE.
Join Matthew Fox and 40 other wisdom teachers in the 2025 Contemplative Summit as they explore The Spacious Heart: Holding Suffering with Love, the theme of Spiritual Wanderlust: The 2025 Contemplative Summit. Thursday - Sunday, September 25-28. Register for free HERE.
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Meditations with Meister Eckhart in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE.
Join spiritual pioneers Dr. Matthew Fox and Rev. Cameron Trimble for “In Search of a New Story: Reimagining What Comes Next,” a timely and transformative 4-part series featuring conversations with some of the most compelling wisdom voices of our time: Carolyn Myss, Diana Butler Bass,
Luther Smith, and Ilia Delio. Thursdays, October 23, 30, and November 13, 20, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT Register HERE.
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Join Matthew Fox in a new 6-month program of mystical wisdom for a new world. In this 6-month immersion program with Matthew, you’ll explore what it means to be a modern mystic and prophet, integrating this sacred knowledge into your life through the authentic teachings of Jesus and other wisdom keepers. This journey births what Matthew calls Christianity 2.0 — based not on dogma, but on a spirituality that recovers the sacred sense of original goodness. By Application only - apply HERERegister for a free information session HERE |
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MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox 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 HERE, Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox and Fr. Bede Griffiths each lecture for approximately 30 minutes followed by 30 minutes of dialogue. 91 minutes. 1990. You will receive a secure link to the file to download.
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on BlueSky, Instagram, Universeodon, or Facebook using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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