England proclaims to be a secular land, acknowledging only reason, and ordered apart from God. Yet, when a teenager cut down a favorite tree, the religious implications thereof quickly became undeniable.
That is an interesting and thought provoking commentary on the felled tree. My initial reaction was disgust at the juvenile delinquency which I assumed was behind it. And it really is more than "just a tree". Old things, be they buildings or trees or books, carry their own venerability, and help connect us to the past. But your analysis of the replacement of a true religious outlook with a more pagan one feels spot on.
Sep 29, 2023·edited Sep 29, 2023Liked by Sarah Cain
Spot-on analysis, Sarah! Similar thoughts about Druid tree worship occurred to me as I read the news report. I wouldn't be surprised if the death penalty is resurrected for the guilty young man! Not that I condone his actions, but this hysterical overreaction to a tree felling is quite revealing.
Very true! And it's disturbing corollary is that measly human beings are worth little by comparison. I believe that belief is behind radical, extreme environmentalism that completely disregards its negative impact on human welfare.
The mayor’s first regret: “People have had their ashes scattered there.” Idolatry - “Any person or thing which receives the worship due only to the true God.”
I love the comparison to St. Boniface. The incident now represented similarly to the lore of a saint. I wonder if you see any other comparisons out there. It feels like the time of saints, doesn't it? You don't know they're there until you look back. I understand you're not saying that Johnny Rotten was a saint. (No, not the lead singer of the Sex Pistols, it's actually an old English expression... 'that boy's a Johnny Rotten!') I wonder why he says he cut it down, I'd be interested with a smile. "Why'd you do it son?" "Bloody ingrates thought the tree was more important than a man's blood they did." Or something or other. We truly are living in medieval times again, the new dark ages. Where books disappear and become scarce, where hostility and fear reign. Where feudal lords demand more from their slaves each day and force them to whip themselves repeatedly because it's their fault for global warming.... But along comes a crazy saint. Does something weird and shocking. Causes a commotion. The last straw. Dystopian Saints are upon us, so look out for them, they still need your help!
Very sad story. The tree is innocent of any wrong doing yet some mindless primate decides to cut it down to no end. If he was cold and hungry and needed firewood to save his life, I might feel just a very tiny bit of sympathy. This is just an example of unfocused hate.
Child sacrifice is certainly back and has reached acceptability in the evil of abortion. While this particular tree was not (yet) such an altar, many of those who engage in climate change hysterics talk candidly about the 'need' to reduce the population for the sake of the environment.
I'm confused by your argument that the destruction of this tree has something to do with abortion; in any event, It doesn't logically follow from your essay that it's no big deal to destroy more life, even if it's just a beautiful 200-year-old tree.
No, the point is not that we should destroy trees. I think the point is that British have not gotten rid of religion, but have replaced Christianity with nature worship.
Quite insightful, Sarah. It is curious that a secular society that celebrates as a right the disposal of a preborn human being, as if that preborn child had no more value than the remnants of last night’s fish and chips, would become so poetically spiritual over the desecration of an elderly tree. For the secularist, the tree’s age can hardly serve as an explanation. The elderly citizen, for example, stricken with the troublesome diseases that come with old age, is today regarded by our secular society with little more value than the inconvenient fetus scheduled by its mother for an outpatient procedure. And from across Europe, we hear stories of the elderly given a medical push into eternity because they were simply too old and too much in the way. So the tree’s life and age won’t serve as the reason for the public outrage.
So why is the tree so valuable? Well, it does have a history, and we know today what that must mean. The meaning, of course, has nothing to do with anything objective. History, as the modern academy teaches, we now understand to be simply an arbitrary social construction. And if that social construction is of European origin, one emerging prior to the postmodern age, we can be sure that it drips with racism, sexism, and imperialism. So, I am confused, Sarah, by the report. The young person who cut down this tree near Hadrian’s Wall must have been making a courageous protest against imperialism, racism, and sexism. Hadrian, the Roman Emperor, was an obvious symbol of the evils this young man despises and sought to overthrow. So, what does the public’s love of this tree mean? Obviously, it must mean the public’s love of those evils, a contemporary expression of how deeply these sins still contaminate the European collective soul. The desire to bring this young man to justice is a defensive affirmation of this irrefutable and condemning truth. In fact, the Mayor’s words admit this openly. The tree is part of the culture’s collective soul, which means, as social justice warriors would agree, that sexism, racism, and imperialism are inextricably linked to Europe’s collective being. The guilt can never be expunged. Consequently, the Mayor, who has picnicked near that tree with his family, confesses his guilt as he expresses his outrage and eats his sandwiches.
Of course, this is nonsense, but I would not be surprised to read someone publish a defense like this to justify the young man’s actions. The truth is that he is by no means a Christian Boniface. He is not a missionary for the gospel; he is simply the destroyer of property belonging to the public. So, an accidental Boniface is, perhaps, a good name for him. In fact, he had no intention to destroy a tree symbolizing European guilt for all that is wrong in the world. He simply destroyed a tree to vandalize a landmark, which is simply an act of contempt. But despite his intentions, it is difficult to understand why he is being prosecuted rather than being hailed as a hero. After all, his act embraces the narrative of cultural self-hatred that the elite English sophisticates wear as a badge of honor. Nonetheless, despite supposed postmodern enlightenment, it would appear that a good many enlightened English voices still entertain religious notions, notions that they claim derive from imperialistic ignorance and for which, when it is more convenient, they affirm disdain. It is amazing how quickly that tune can change. Could it possibly be that a secular society denies on one side of its mouth what it affirms with pietistic sincerity on the other? By definition, as early Church Fathers pointed out, a society that cuts itself off from the source of all being is likely to fall into self-contradiction. That is what we see here. We would do well to question the ethical insight of a society that values a tree over a human fetus. The society that affirms as a crime the destruction of the former, but celebrates the destruction of the latter as a woman’s right, has simply lost its way morally. Should we be surprised that such a society lives in moral contradiction?
Let's assume the young man did it for a noble cause; it's an example that millions should follow. Christians need to be that light in the world and rail against tyranny. Corporate preaching has done much harm in this country. Specifically, 501c3 churches!
I do not think any " Christian " church represents GOD and his teachings.
They are representing SATAN , some in the Vatican agree with me, they are far more interested in financial gain plus control, indoctrination and propaganda of the population.
This may seem a vehement statement but please examine their criminal history.
That is an interesting and thought provoking commentary on the felled tree. My initial reaction was disgust at the juvenile delinquency which I assumed was behind it. And it really is more than "just a tree". Old things, be they buildings or trees or books, carry their own venerability, and help connect us to the past. But your analysis of the replacement of a true religious outlook with a more pagan one feels spot on.
Never mind the multi-generational Pakistani rape gangs, we MUST save the Tree!
Spot-on analysis, Sarah! Similar thoughts about Druid tree worship occurred to me as I read the news report. I wouldn't be surprised if the death penalty is resurrected for the guilty young man! Not that I condone his actions, but this hysterical overreaction to a tree felling is quite revealing.
Leftism has become nature worship. Like the bumper sticker "NATURE IS GOD". Gaia, the earth is a being, a god.
You're also spot on!
Very true! And it's disturbing corollary is that measly human beings are worth little by comparison. I believe that belief is behind radical, extreme environmentalism that completely disregards its negative impact on human welfare.
The mayor’s first regret: “People have had their ashes scattered there.” Idolatry - “Any person or thing which receives the worship due only to the true God.”
I love the comparison to St. Boniface. The incident now represented similarly to the lore of a saint. I wonder if you see any other comparisons out there. It feels like the time of saints, doesn't it? You don't know they're there until you look back. I understand you're not saying that Johnny Rotten was a saint. (No, not the lead singer of the Sex Pistols, it's actually an old English expression... 'that boy's a Johnny Rotten!') I wonder why he says he cut it down, I'd be interested with a smile. "Why'd you do it son?" "Bloody ingrates thought the tree was more important than a man's blood they did." Or something or other. We truly are living in medieval times again, the new dark ages. Where books disappear and become scarce, where hostility and fear reign. Where feudal lords demand more from their slaves each day and force them to whip themselves repeatedly because it's their fault for global warming.... But along comes a crazy saint. Does something weird and shocking. Causes a commotion. The last straw. Dystopian Saints are upon us, so look out for them, they still need your help!
The depths of your wisdom and the insights you share never cease to amaze, given they are manifest in one so incredibly young Sarah.
Well done.
Michael1964
I certainly agree!! Sarah is a remarkable woman with her insight and foresight!! It never ceases to amaze me!!
Sounds like the town is willing to sacrifice at least a portion of this young man’s life.
Very sad story. The tree is innocent of any wrong doing yet some mindless primate decides to cut it down to no end. If he was cold and hungry and needed firewood to save his life, I might feel just a very tiny bit of sympathy. This is just an example of unfocused hate.
Who was planning to sacrifice a child to this tree?
Child sacrifice is certainly back and has reached acceptability in the evil of abortion. While this particular tree was not (yet) such an altar, many of those who engage in climate change hysterics talk candidly about the 'need' to reduce the population for the sake of the environment.
It never went away. It was just disguised more cleverly.
I'm confused by your argument that the destruction of this tree has something to do with abortion; in any event, It doesn't logically follow from your essay that it's no big deal to destroy more life, even if it's just a beautiful 200-year-old tree.
The point of the essay was that all cultures are religious, because man is a religious being. It wasn't about whether we should keep trees.
The point in fact seems to be that we should destroy trees (living things) and revere crucifixes (dead things/symbols of human sacrifice).
No, the point is not that we should destroy trees. I think the point is that British have not gotten rid of religion, but have replaced Christianity with nature worship.
Any bets on the religion of the knob with the chainsaw and his stance on abortion?
Quite insightful, Sarah. It is curious that a secular society that celebrates as a right the disposal of a preborn human being, as if that preborn child had no more value than the remnants of last night’s fish and chips, would become so poetically spiritual over the desecration of an elderly tree. For the secularist, the tree’s age can hardly serve as an explanation. The elderly citizen, for example, stricken with the troublesome diseases that come with old age, is today regarded by our secular society with little more value than the inconvenient fetus scheduled by its mother for an outpatient procedure. And from across Europe, we hear stories of the elderly given a medical push into eternity because they were simply too old and too much in the way. So the tree’s life and age won’t serve as the reason for the public outrage.
So why is the tree so valuable? Well, it does have a history, and we know today what that must mean. The meaning, of course, has nothing to do with anything objective. History, as the modern academy teaches, we now understand to be simply an arbitrary social construction. And if that social construction is of European origin, one emerging prior to the postmodern age, we can be sure that it drips with racism, sexism, and imperialism. So, I am confused, Sarah, by the report. The young person who cut down this tree near Hadrian’s Wall must have been making a courageous protest against imperialism, racism, and sexism. Hadrian, the Roman Emperor, was an obvious symbol of the evils this young man despises and sought to overthrow. So, what does the public’s love of this tree mean? Obviously, it must mean the public’s love of those evils, a contemporary expression of how deeply these sins still contaminate the European collective soul. The desire to bring this young man to justice is a defensive affirmation of this irrefutable and condemning truth. In fact, the Mayor’s words admit this openly. The tree is part of the culture’s collective soul, which means, as social justice warriors would agree, that sexism, racism, and imperialism are inextricably linked to Europe’s collective being. The guilt can never be expunged. Consequently, the Mayor, who has picnicked near that tree with his family, confesses his guilt as he expresses his outrage and eats his sandwiches.
Of course, this is nonsense, but I would not be surprised to read someone publish a defense like this to justify the young man’s actions. The truth is that he is by no means a Christian Boniface. He is not a missionary for the gospel; he is simply the destroyer of property belonging to the public. So, an accidental Boniface is, perhaps, a good name for him. In fact, he had no intention to destroy a tree symbolizing European guilt for all that is wrong in the world. He simply destroyed a tree to vandalize a landmark, which is simply an act of contempt. But despite his intentions, it is difficult to understand why he is being prosecuted rather than being hailed as a hero. After all, his act embraces the narrative of cultural self-hatred that the elite English sophisticates wear as a badge of honor. Nonetheless, despite supposed postmodern enlightenment, it would appear that a good many enlightened English voices still entertain religious notions, notions that they claim derive from imperialistic ignorance and for which, when it is more convenient, they affirm disdain. It is amazing how quickly that tune can change. Could it possibly be that a secular society denies on one side of its mouth what it affirms with pietistic sincerity on the other? By definition, as early Church Fathers pointed out, a society that cuts itself off from the source of all being is likely to fall into self-contradiction. That is what we see here. We would do well to question the ethical insight of a society that values a tree over a human fetus. The society that affirms as a crime the destruction of the former, but celebrates the destruction of the latter as a woman’s right, has simply lost its way morally. Should we be surprised that such a society lives in moral contradiction?
Let's assume the young man did it for a noble cause; it's an example that millions should follow. Christians need to be that light in the world and rail against tyranny. Corporate preaching has done much harm in this country. Specifically, 501c3 churches!
I do not think any " Christian " church represents GOD and his teachings.
They are representing SATAN , some in the Vatican agree with me, they are far more interested in financial gain plus control, indoctrination and propaganda of the population.
This may seem a vehement statement but please examine their criminal history.