Natural Elitism

[Ed Hurst]

We don't have much choice. Everyone who embraces Radix Fidem has been called by God; it's a miracle. So far, the majority of those who feel drawn to our message have a good bit of education and can think and discuss the implications of ditching Western Civilization. They can talk about mysticism as opposed to Western rationalism. They are capable of understanding discussions of ANE cultures and so forth. For the most part, this is an elite group, because your average American has no clue about most of that.

This is fairly typical when we are gathering founders of something so radically different than what's out there. Once we establish this new path and get a few folks living it, we are in a position to appeal to folks with a little less education. This takes awhile, unless the Lord does a bigger miracle and draws hordes overnight. Something tells me that's not what He's planning to do. This is something that will have to start small and grow slowly as we strive to make it real.

Until then, it's very hard to do anything that appeals to those who aren't already prepared and seeking. So we end up elitist despite our wishes.

[jaybreak]

I'm fine with this. As far as I understand Biblical literature, most of the people documented that God called into service had relative wealth or some amount of higher intelligence than normal. They certainly weren't nobodies, but they were the rare kind of power player that hadn't completely shut themselves out of divine callings.

[IainH]

Oh please. The fastest route to hubris is thinking you're somehow a cut above. Stop this. We are all sorry shits. God chooses us based on our faults, so that His Glory shines brighter through the cracks of our brokenness.

[Ed Hurst]

You missed the point, Iain. It's not that we are a cut above, but it's a limited group. Lots of very smart people have no idea about those subjects I mentioned. They could know, but they don't. And some very average folk do know those subjects, and they handle our stuff quite well. It's a group limited by background, not intelligence. And Jay wasn't suggesting we were elite, but that God often chose bright folks to get things started. Somehow we got into good company without being qualified.

[IainH]

You missed the point, Iain. It's not that we are a cut above, but it's a limited group. Lots of very smart people have no idea about those subjects I mentioned. They could know, but they don't. And some very average folk do know those subjects, and they handle our stuff quite well. It's a group limited by background, not intelligence. And Jay wasn't suggesting we were elite, but that God often chose bright folks to get things started. Somehow we got into good company without being qualified.

"Elite: a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society"
Oxford Dictionary.
One of the synonyms of the aforementioned is "elect" so, fair enough, I'll bear my superiority with humility. It's etymology is French from the Latin eligere which translates "to pick out". Ooh la la, nous sommes les hommes les plus superieurs; we are men most superior.
I did get your, naturally because I'm superior, point. There has to be a better term than elite, because it's habitual use would attract more obnoxious jerks such as myself! Hee Haw!

[Ed Hurst]

Perhaps I should have prefaced my original post above with this: "We stand accused by many of elitism because what we teach seems so esoteric." Perhaps not every one of us runs into that accusation, but the only good answer is that it seems esoteric because our world has dug in so deep to avoid the truth. The best way to handle a false accusation is to mock the whole thing by pretending to wear it proudly until we drag it down into absurdity. All I can say is that I'm sorry my sense of humor, in which at least it seems Jay was catching on, didn't come off as funny.

[jaybreak]

For me personally, I wouldn't consider being an elitist something to work towards, but a description of circumstances. I don't have a desire to be an elite by most people's definition, but if I'm ever put into that position it's probably because of God's timing and plan. I certainly wouldn't be that way for mere material gain.

[forrealone]

You missed the point, Iain. It's not that we are a cut above, but it's a limited group. Lots of very smart people have no idea about those subjects I mentioned. They could know, but they don't. And some very average folk do know those subjects, and they handle our stuff quite well. It's a group limited by background, not intelligence. And Jay wasn't suggesting we were elite, but that God often chose bright folks to get things started. Somehow we got into good company without being qualified.

"Elite: a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society"
Oxford Dictionary.
One of the synonyms of the aforementioned is "elect" so, fair enough, I'll bear my superiority with humility. It's etymology is French from the Latin eligere which translates "to pick out". Ooh la la, nous sommes les hommes les plus superieurs; we are men most superior.
I did get your, naturally because I'm superior, point. There has to be a better term than elite, because it's habitual use would attract more obnoxious jerks such as myself! Hee Haw!

"Elect" i like.  I believe God "selected" a group of people to be this "elect" group.  Nowhere does this add to our status; it simply humbles us to be among this group.  It is at His whim should that continue,  not our actions or words.