To THE AUSTRALIAN There could hardly be a more brilliant and succinct summary of our national political culture than that provided by F. X. Geraghty (16/2). So how can we induce a return to the practice of principle rather than self-indulgence? How can we halt the ‘inroads of the Nanny State’ by reforming the wishy-washy Liberal Party and frustrating the hidden authoritarianism of the left?
Only by religion, and that means a major rethinking of our Christian sacred tradition, the basis of our culture and civilization. The voices of the universalists (like Alvin Kuhn and Tom Harpur) and perennialists (like Aldous Huxley and Rene Guenon) need to be listened to. An ‘orthodox’ theology based upon the misinterpretation long ago of ancient initiatory documents needs to be superannuated. It’s a tough call for many devoted Christians, but it’s the only way.
NJ, Belgrave, Vic