Morton @ 4 and others have noted a resurgence of islam. Others have noted the ascendancy of Christianity. Spengler has written of the threat posed by modernity to “traditional societies”. Islam is the very manifestation of a desert/tribal/nomadic society. What I think we now see in islam is an existential crisis, where modernity has run up against the wall of a defunct and unsustainable social system. The wall is showing the strain. It will collapse. It will be ugly and bloody. Western governments are not equipped (by virtue of Bogie’s Nozzle (TM)) to deal with it. The people will.

I have read that the traditional churches in at least American Christianity have grown substantially at the expense of the less traditional evangelical mega churches. This may be because the 2000 years of really meaty nourishing theological debate has provided a system that sustains and advances belief. The debates have been about symbolism, liturgy, history and canonicity, but most importantly about the individuals relationship with God and his fellow man. As I understand the mega church’s theology (and this may only be prejudice) they are heavy into the admission of faith and the offering of praise at the expense of understanding. Its pretty thin gruel and I think most people are wanting more – even the islams.

Walt — Thanks so much for that. Well done.