Matthew Arnold mourned the long withdrawing roar of faith in the 19th century. Fin de siècle European culture moved to the rhythm of Nietzsche’s poetry-by-jackhammer that proclaimed the death of God and the rule of the value-less Last Man. The lack of religion was taken as a sign of man’s advancement into his own destiny of mastery, over himself, the earth and life itself by the progressive politics of 20th century modernism. The idea that religion as traditionally understood was on the way out and man had no need of a replacement was seemingly taken for granted, and all that remained was for the Four Horsemen of the atheist apocalypse to ride into the fortress of faith and rhetorically disembowel any remaining resistance.
Login to read more
Sign in or create a free account to access Subscriber-only content.
Topics:
