The Great Apostasy: Foundation Of Western Civilization?

[jkwilliams]

I was having a conversation with my son this afternoon about the effects of Christianity on our society and form of government, as the Virginia Republican party has a slate of religious conservatives for statewide offices and is about to get badly beaten because of it. But we ended up agreeing on one thing: Western Civilization is in part based on a Christian worldview.

 

But as we talked about it, we decided that a lot of the Christian influence on the development of western democracy came because Christianity became blended with Greek and Roman philosophy. In this way, the Great Apostasy may have been a good thing because, without that blending or diluting of Christian doctrine, the civil and social structures we depend on would not have developed.

[pogi]

I was having a conversation with my son this afternoon about the effects of Christianity on our society and form of government, as the Virginia Republican party has a slate of religious conservatives for statewide offices and is about to get badly beaten because of it. But we ended up agreeing on one thing: Western Civilization is in part based on a Christian worldview.

 

But as we talked about it, we decided that a lot of the Christian influence on the development of western democracy came because Christianity became blended with Greek and Roman philosophy. In this way, the Great Apostasy may have been a good thing because, without that blending or diluting of Christian doctrine, the civil and social structures we depend on would not have developed.

 

We may have it good, but it doesn't beat Zion 

[Sevenbak]

Considering Nephi referred to the gentiles coming here as fleeing captivity, I think Western Civilization as you describe was just a stepping stone for bigger and better things.

[jkwilliams]

Considering Nephi referred to the gentiles coming here as fleeing captivity, I think Western Civilization as you describe was just a stepping stone for bigger and better things.

 

True. If the rest of the world becomes more righteous, they might be able to reach the level of Utah.

[Calm]

 In this way, the Great Apostasy may have been a good thing because, without that blending or diluting of Christian doctrine, the civil and social structures we depend on would not have developed.

One would have to know what it would have been like otherwise to draw conclusions, imo.

[pmccombs1]

...a lot of the Christian influence on the development of western democracy came because Christianity became blended with Greek and Roman philosophy. In this way, the Great Apostasy may have been a good thing...

 

When I inquire whether the blending of Mormonism with franchise capitalism constitutes some sort of apostasy, I am assured that in fact this is evidence of God's hand in his continuing work.

 

So how surprised was I to find out, while reading some of John Milbank's essays, that the more "orthodox" Christians acknowledge the Greek philosophy and attribute it to the hand of God and his continuing work in shaping the Church. 

[Robert F. Smith]

I was having a conversation with my son this afternoon about the effects of Christianity on our society and form of government, as the Virginia Republican party has a slate of religious conservatives for statewide offices and is about to get badly beaten because of it. But we ended up agreeing on one thing: Western Civilization is in part based on a Christian worldview.

 

But as we talked about it, we decided that a lot of the Christian influence on the development of western democracy came because Christianity became blended with Greek and Roman philosophy. In this way, the Great Apostasy may have been a good thing because, without that blending or diluting of Christian doctrine, the civil and social structures we depend on would not have developed.

Kind of like the Fall at the Garden of Eden?  Wait, does that mean that the Fall is the true basis of Western civilization?  They didn't tell us that in Western Civ I in college.

[Robert F. Smith]

True. If the rest of the world becomes more righteous, they might be able to reach the level of Utah.

[thesometimesaint]

Gold, Glory, and the Gospel in that order are the basis of Western Civ.

[Stone holm]

Considering Nephi referred to the gentiles coming here as fleeing captivity, I think Western Civilization as you describe was just a stepping stone for bigger and better things.

What we currently think of as Western Civilization, is not necessarily what they were fleeing.

[ERayR]

True. If the rest of the world becomes more righteous, they might be able to reach the level of Utah.

 

And from there it is but a small step North into bigger and better things.

[Stone holm]

And from there it is but a small step North into bigger and better things.

Like Canada?

[thesometimesaint]

Like Canada?

 

The northern US is southern Canada. Say that ten times when the temperture dips below zero.