Elite Religion
Elite Religion is Religion created, or more often co-opted, by high-level members of the Accumulating Class. Catholicism, which was created when Roman Emperor Constantine "converted" to Christianity[1] and Zoroastrianism, which was co-opted by Persian emperor Aradashir and turned to his emperialist ends[2], are two iconic and still highly relevant elite religions.
Subclasses
Elite Religion > Esoteric Religion, Exoteric Religion
Religion > Authentic Religion, Elite Religion
Syncretic Terms
Related LP Terms
Elite Religion > Elite Narrative, Elite Spirituality, Mainstream
Non-LP Related Terms
Notes
Elite spirituality may be divided into two sub-types, Esoteric Spirituality and Exoteric Spirituality
Elite religion may be easily identified by its advocacy of violence (let's go kill some evil people), exclusion (only the "chosen" get in), and patriarchy (women are stripped of power and dignity). More specifically, elite religion may be recognized by the presence of an Old Energy Creation Template.
Elite spirituality is enacted by System Agents for the purpose of System Maintanence
When the Accumulating Class co-opts a religion, they turn it into an Ideological Institution
Examples of Elite Religions
- Zoroastrianism co-opted by Aradashir.[3]
- Co-optation of progressive Christianity by Constantine[4]
- Tarot created by Freemasons as an ideological tool for Capitalists.[5]
- The Aztecs using their cosmological order to support, I think, a four-class political system, and a productive system with a focus on excellence and productivity. [6] Rulers, warriors, merchants, and commoners (farmers, stonecutters, caprenters, shopkeepers, clay workers candlesellers, etc.... Interesting that the Aztec religious rituals were also used to instruct the "next generation" of rulers. At the coronation ceremony, the new Aztec big-guy was metaphorically instructed about his primary responsibility, which was to maintain social caste order and social cohesion, and also to engage in Imperial wars.
The new ruler is warned about coming problems: "In thy time there will be disunity, quarreling in thy city. No more wilt thou be esteemed, no more wilt thou be regarded. Also war will move upon thee." But the ruler is encouraged to stand up to all troubles, for he is the living, present image of the god who governs all things: "Put forth all thy effort, give all, put forth all thy spirit. Sigh, be sad; call out in sadness to our lord, to the lord of the near, of the nigh... . Be not a fool. May thou not speak hurriedly, may thou not interrupt, may thou not confound. Take yet, grasp yet, arrive yet at the truth, for, it is said and it is true, thou art the replacement, thou art the image of the lord of the near, of the nigh....As the living image of the god who is close to all living things, the ruler's chief job is to ensure order, arrangement, and proper location so that the Aztec way of life can continue in the face of real dangers. [7]
Marsilio Ficini (1433-1499) the "virtual founder of the Renaissance Prisca Theologia narrative. [8]
Agostino Steuco (1496-1549).
Footnotes
- ↑ Sosteric, Mike. “Rethinking the Origins and Purpose of Religion: Jesus, Constantine, and the Containment of Global Revolution.” Athens Journal of Social Sciences 9, no. 1 (2020): 69–88. https://www.academia.edu/34970150/Rethinking_the_Origins_and_Purpose_of_Religion_Jesus_Constantine_and_the_Containment_of_Global_Revolution>
- ↑ Sosteric, Mike. “From Zoroaster to Star Wars, Jesus to Marx: The Art, Science, and Technology of Mass Human Manipulation,” Under Review. https://www.academia.edu/34504691
- ↑ Sosteric, Mike. “From Zoroaster to Star Wars, Jesus to Marx: The Art, Science, and Technology of Human Manipulation,” . https://www.academia.edu/34504691.
- ↑ Sosteric, Mike. “Rethinking the Origins and Purpose of Religion: Jesus, Constantine, and the Containment of Global Revolution.” Athens Journal of Social Sciences 9, no. 1 (2020): 69–88.
- ↑ Sosteric, Mike. “A Sociology of Tarot.” Canadian Journal of Sociology 39, no. 3 (2014). https://www.academia.edu/25055505/.
- ↑ Carrasco, David, and Scott Sessions. Daily Life of the Aztecs. London: Greenwood Press, 1998.
- ↑ Carrasco, David, and Scott Sessions. Daily Life of the Aztecs. London: Greenwood Press, 1998. p. 136.
- ↑ Haneegraff, Wouter J. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. p. 8.
