I keep edging closer to subscribing b/c you put out a steady stream of good stuff. If I hadn’t inadvertently signed up for one I’m less enthusiastic about I’d have pulled the trigger already. Anyway, how about weighing in on the genetics of Native Americans and the evolving picture of settlement and possible presence of Polynesian contact in South America? Now that the Yamnaya revelation is apparently solidly established it will be interesting to see where your gaze lands next.
Right on Razib, J T Drake, Timothy Williams, Bob Scott Placier, Attorney Paul in Louisiana, Hallie Skansi Toplikar, Suite Sister Mary, and all. Please see/share our research from Prof. Graeme MacQueen, Captain Rob Balsamo, Captain Dan Hanley, Amber Quitno, Prof. Tony Martin, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, and others and help us improve it if you can. Thank you!
I clicked on the link and the Amazon book "Return of the Gods" appears to be fairly bonkers based on the blurb. Did you actually mean the book "Return of the Strong Gods" in the above?
Thanks much for this essay. My own sense of things here in Texas and in the South and Midwest in general is that a Christian revival, which began in the 90s, has grown dramatically, but that university researchers are so distant from it that they do not see it and firmer measures of worshippers no longer provide guidance, even if they could. Also many thanks for the book suggestions, two of which I’ll put on my reading list.
i have lived in texas for 7 years now :) many universities like baylor have access to these communities. the rise in secularism shows up in mass surveys, but also in our broader culture (no one cared bernie sanders is clearly atheist)
Interesting can you speak more about this? Have a friend living there right now, recent (1-2years) transplant. His description of Texas is "there is a church on every block"
There are many churches, though not a numerous as in, say, Italy, where they may be several to a city block. Many are enormous structures which can hold hundreds or thousands of worshippers; offer schools for hundreds and even thousands of children; are active in charitable outreach everywhere; and which have become much more politically active. Christian children are often homeschooled here with numbers increasing dramatically the past few years. I have met many of the parents and the children and they all, to a person, seem to be thoroughly invested in what we used to call a liberal education (reading, writing and ‘rithmetic), raising the children to be independent thinkers, respectful of their elders and trusting in God. I witnessed, having come from Connecticut over a decade ago, their welcoming, friendly and constructive attitude during the awful hurricane Harvey, when the churches opened to receive those who were made homeless (many thousands), staffed with cooks, doctors and nurses, provided baby formula and diapers,etc., in an outpouring of such love and caring that I was much moved, even though they themselves had been dreadfully affected. And they did it all without and sometimes in spite of government. I’m very very encouraged by what I have witnessed. The future of America is Christian.
The future of America is secular, did you not actually read what Razib wrote? The future of America lies with the nones, once the last boomers die out, Christianity will continue to decline. Look at the absolute shit show that American Evangelicalism has devolved into after its unholy alliance with Trump. The beliefs of these people do not come close to representing the majority, and aee easily ridiculed.
You are living among the remnants of the past 100 years, who believe nothing at all and know just as little about the world and the humanity they do not understand and can never comprehend. Secular ideas -- agnosticism and atheism -- as an organizing principle of living has failed for many hundreds of millions of people, especially in America, where it is a blip in 4 centuries of God-faith. The awfulness of American nihilism and self-loathing is evident every where, especially in American cultural products and especially in the universities. The pseudo-intellectuals -- there are still genuine scholars here and there but I believe them to be a minority -- have discovered nothing at all which enlivens them and brings them or their students knowledge, wisdom, comfort, hope,, beauty and truth to help them live better lives. That's why they are so miserable. If you have not seen people in large numbers right around where you are turn to Christian ideas for succor, then you are in the midst of that decline and headed into the abyss. The Christians are a rising force politically now, after having endured the nonsense of the Left. But where I am, I see Christians everywhere -- and they are active, energetic, hopeful, family-oriented, strong-minded and, frankly, totally fed up with people who think like you do.
I keep edging closer to subscribing b/c you put out a steady stream of good stuff. If I hadn’t inadvertently signed up for one I’m less enthusiastic about I’d have pulled the trigger already. Anyway, how about weighing in on the genetics of Native Americans and the evolving picture of settlement and possible presence of Polynesian contact in South America? Now that the Yamnaya revelation is apparently solidly established it will be interesting to see where your gaze lands next.
austronesia is on my high priority TO-DO
Right on Razib, J T Drake, Timothy Williams, Bob Scott Placier, Attorney Paul in Louisiana, Hallie Skansi Toplikar, Suite Sister Mary, and all. Please see/share our research from Prof. Graeme MacQueen, Captain Rob Balsamo, Captain Dan Hanley, Amber Quitno, Prof. Tony Martin, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, and others and help us improve it if you can. Thank you!
https://michaelatkinson.substack.com/
Sincerely,
Michael
🦖
I clicked on the link and the Amazon book "Return of the Gods" appears to be fairly bonkers based on the blurb. Did you actually mean the book "Return of the Strong Gods" in the above?
It's such a coincidence to see the link about Indo-Europeans. Today I just received a notification that one of my distant grandparents was Yamnaya .
many such cases
Thanks much for this essay. My own sense of things here in Texas and in the South and Midwest in general is that a Christian revival, which began in the 90s, has grown dramatically, but that university researchers are so distant from it that they do not see it and firmer measures of worshippers no longer provide guidance, even if they could. Also many thanks for the book suggestions, two of which I’ll put on my reading list.
i have lived in texas for 7 years now :) many universities like baylor have access to these communities. the rise in secularism shows up in mass surveys, but also in our broader culture (no one cared bernie sanders is clearly atheist)
Interesting can you speak more about this? Have a friend living there right now, recent (1-2years) transplant. His description of Texas is "there is a church on every block"
There are many churches, though not a numerous as in, say, Italy, where they may be several to a city block. Many are enormous structures which can hold hundreds or thousands of worshippers; offer schools for hundreds and even thousands of children; are active in charitable outreach everywhere; and which have become much more politically active. Christian children are often homeschooled here with numbers increasing dramatically the past few years. I have met many of the parents and the children and they all, to a person, seem to be thoroughly invested in what we used to call a liberal education (reading, writing and ‘rithmetic), raising the children to be independent thinkers, respectful of their elders and trusting in God. I witnessed, having come from Connecticut over a decade ago, their welcoming, friendly and constructive attitude during the awful hurricane Harvey, when the churches opened to receive those who were made homeless (many thousands), staffed with cooks, doctors and nurses, provided baby formula and diapers,etc., in an outpouring of such love and caring that I was much moved, even though they themselves had been dreadfully affected. And they did it all without and sometimes in spite of government. I’m very very encouraged by what I have witnessed. The future of America is Christian.
Good to hear, that is encouraging to hear!
The future of America is secular, did you not actually read what Razib wrote? The future of America lies with the nones, once the last boomers die out, Christianity will continue to decline. Look at the absolute shit show that American Evangelicalism has devolved into after its unholy alliance with Trump. The beliefs of these people do not come close to representing the majority, and aee easily ridiculed.
Former, not firmer.
You are living among the remnants of the past 100 years, who believe nothing at all and know just as little about the world and the humanity they do not understand and can never comprehend. Secular ideas -- agnosticism and atheism -- as an organizing principle of living has failed for many hundreds of millions of people, especially in America, where it is a blip in 4 centuries of God-faith. The awfulness of American nihilism and self-loathing is evident every where, especially in American cultural products and especially in the universities. The pseudo-intellectuals -- there are still genuine scholars here and there but I believe them to be a minority -- have discovered nothing at all which enlivens them and brings them or their students knowledge, wisdom, comfort, hope,, beauty and truth to help them live better lives. That's why they are so miserable. If you have not seen people in large numbers right around where you are turn to Christian ideas for succor, then you are in the midst of that decline and headed into the abyss. The Christians are a rising force politically now, after having endured the nonsense of the Left. But where I am, I see Christians everywhere -- and they are active, energetic, hopeful, family-oriented, strong-minded and, frankly, totally fed up with people who think like you do.