After I learn the transcripts of Peter Thiel’s 4 lectures on the antichrist on the Commonweal Membership in San Francisco, I invited him to a debate on the subject.
I’ve some credentials for such an alternate, as a theologian who revealed a e book on the Antichrist 14 months in the past. That e book included two main artists over the centuries: Hildegard of Bingen, now a saint and physician of the church. And Luca Signorelli, who painted a large fresco on the antichrist in 1501 within the gorgeous Cathedral in Orvieto, Italy.
Sigmund Freud visited this very fresco three separate occasions to review it—a novel story since Freud was not an everyday customer to church buildings or synagogues, to place it mildly, being an atheist by selection.
I invoke Carl Jung as nicely, who discoursed at some size on the attraction and risks of the antichrist archetype.
It appears to me that Peter Thiel and I’ve rather a lot to debate in regards to the antichrist. So I prolonged my invitation to take action in two DMs two weeks in the past, and in a personal letter I despatched him. Many individuals have requested me when the debates are occurring. Maybe he has not obtained any of those communications. Through which case, I reiterate my provide right here.
I do marvel why he has not responded to my invitation.
Maybe, being a protected billionaire, he solely talks to individuals who don’t problem him.
Or, being a maker of “kings,” i.e., vice-presidents, he has no have to be taught from others.
Maybe he fears he couldn’t management the reality, as different billionaires are busy doing nowadays by shopping for up media resembling CBS, The Washington Publish, Los Angeles Occasions, X, Fb, and so forth. And he serves a president dedicated to shutting down PBS and NPR altogether—with, in fact, the whole acquiescence and silence of your complete Republican Congress.
Possibly as a result of the reality in regards to the antichrist would possibly level to himself—a actuality he himself really hints at.
Or to his allies in MAGA, together with the president, vp, and lots of Republican senators and congresspeople who appear to have offered their consciences years in the past. (Word: See the present film, Fact and Treason! The perfect film on conscience ever.)
Or maybe Mr. Thiel doesn’t need to be reminded of the actual message of Jesus {that a} world and “kingdom/queendom” of peace and justice, and compassion is definitely potential for humanity to create.
Or, having declared he’s “spiritual and never non secular,” Mr. Thiel is just not inquisitive about studying a couple of spirituality that requires creating Gratitude and Justice and Compassion towards self and different creatures, together with Mom Earth herself.
Or maybe he has suffered such abuse by the hands of his father {that a} faith of punitive fatherhood, i.e., fascism, owns him.
Possibly it’s as a result of he has his personal faith, which he and sure different Silicon Valley billionaires are busy promulgating.
Possibly he fears all of MAGA can be uncovered for bearing antichrist energies and values opposite to these of Jesus. Comparable to hatred vs love; revenge vs forgiveness; greed vs sharing; fatalistic self-hatred vs neighborhood constructing; management vs. knowledge. Values resembling “younger republicans” have been talked about in leaked conversations just lately, with language resembling “I really like Hitler” and “I’ve a streak of Nazis in me” (the latter from a Trump nominee for a excessive put up on the DOJ).
Or perhaps he simply doesn’t need to waste time with a Christian priest—although he does appear to name himself a Christian and cites Christian philosophers and theologians and offers recommendation freely on such matters as popes—“pray for them, however you don’t should take heed to them.” He has referred to as Pope Francis a “communist” and criticized Pope Benedict for not having the braveness to talk publicly in regards to the antichrist.
Properly, I’ve had the braveness. And also you, Peter?
Possibly he’s embarrassed for having held up Greta Thunberg and Invoice Gates as candidates for antichrist. Or for adopting Nazi Carl Schmidt as certainly one of his mentors. (Once more, See Fact and Treason.)
Possibly he’s too busy to take break day to debate a priest and theologian (although he has spent many hours discoursing on the antichrist at Harvard, Oxford, Innsbruck, San Francisco, and so forth.)
If any of those causes clarify his silence, then I perceive. And I don’t need to berate him for his lack of braveness. I want him nicely.
However I additionally pray that he’ll look within the mirror and study his conscience and motives and what he’s doing with the billions of {dollars} he’s making, arming ICE and spying on different human beings through his firm Palantir.
I hope he doesn’t ignore his potential for performing some real good on the planet along with his apparent abilities and his hard-earned cash. It’s by no means too late to repent and begin over. Simply as Jesus suggested the younger man who approached him searching for salvation.
Banner Picture: Matthew Fox and the talk associate who wasn’t there. Background picture of Peter Thiel by Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons. Matthew Fox, picture by Michael Conti.
Queries for Contemplation
Why do you suppose Peter Thiel has not responded to my invitation to a public debate or to a personal sit down to debate the antichrist? Do a few of my proposals hit dwelling?
Advisable Studying
Trump & The MAGA Motion as Anti-Christ
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Reworking Evil in Soul & Society
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Consciousness with Social Justice
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Presents for the Peoples of the Earth
Authentic Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Christian Mystics: 365 Readings & Meditations
