March 6, 2024
This is the most important episode of Gracearchy, yet.
The work of René Girard provides the “anthropological underpinnings” of Gracearchy with Jim Babka. Anthropology is the study of human society, including its origins, culture, social structures, and language. That’s a pretty big topic, but this episode goes deeper.
Girard’s work is much like a “Theory of Everything.” We recognize that this might be a turn-off. Some people prefer to show more sophistication by having a big catalog of explanations, perhaps two for every different subject. But in this episode, we show how Girard’s work starts as a literary theory, then journeys on to anthropology and psychology, then travels through mythology, theology, and, finally, sociology.
By traveling this path, as you will in this episode, you learn the origin of the State and of religion.
And not only those things, but also the source of cultural rituals, political behaviors, and war.
We cover all of that in this one episode! So the claim, that this is the most important episode we’ve yet done… Well, that’s real.
OR…
The Scapegoat
The original goal of this episode was to cover and explain the role of the Scapegoat in René Girard’s theory. But the conversation took off in inspired ways.
The concept of the Scapegoat sits at the intersection of my personal theology and my Voluntaryist social philosophy. And I couldn’t help myself — I had to explain how it fits into a big picture.
The Scapegoat is a sacrificial concept. Both institutional religion and statism are founded in and sustained by the blood of innocents. And the recognition of the Scapegoat can be an invitation to the end of superstition.
Our journey includes Oedipus, Caiaphas, Hobbes, Nietzsche, and Kaepernick (yes, the quarterback). Examples from literature, history, and current events are also included.
We hope you’ll listen, slowly, carefully — maybe even twice. This episode is that foundational.
You can listen while you work or drive on these podcasting platforms: Pandora * iHeart * Spotify
We’re featuring today’s episode on…
The Zero Aggression Project sponsors and promotes this podcast. In April, we intend to announce big, new plans for this program. So, we’re asking for your financial support — please, start a monthly pledge or make a one-time contribution. Contributions to our parent organization, Downsize DC Foundation, are tax deductible if you itemize.
ZAP The State and have a nice day,
Jim Babka
Host, Gracearchy with Jim Babka
Co-creator, Zero Aggression Project
Gracearchy is hosted by Zero Aggression Project’s co-founder, Jim Babka, but the views expressed in the show are not necessarily those of the board, staff, or supporters of the Zero Aggression Project (Downsize DC Foundation).
The religious ceremonies in the Older Testament foreshadow the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Isaiah 52 – 53 (written 500+ years before Jesus came) very clearly speaks of His death and resurrection -and is so clear, it is sometimes assumed to be written far later. You entirely brought the point home about the similarities between the pagan practices of both appeal to ‘The Science’ (TM) and the appeal to the State. The end of this is the Christian view, and the end of continuing sacrifice of
more and more people. Hebrews, a book that describes the whole reason why Jesus is ‘better’ than any priesthood, sacrifice, or other means of reaching God, also describes the work of Christ as completing the work. Jesus Himself said, “No one can take my life away from me, I lay it down of my own accord. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” Every other sacrifice story has a ‘guilty’ sacrifice – He was innocent. Amen to change yourself first! (And you gave a great example as well) Thanks so much for this episode.