Conspiracy Theories, Apocalypticism, Secularism, Extremism, Eschatology, Politics: Some Thoughts

 When it comes to conspiracy theories, I like how random nobodies often end up being resources in doing otherwise arbitrary dot connecting. It can be both useful in the study of symbol, psychology, anthropology, sociology and sometimes actual conspiracy. 

It can be useful studying this stuff both towards understanding the minds of people who write that kind of stuff (psychoanalysis) as well as understanding how our societies actually function in terms of networking, symbiology and so forth.

I generally do not believe many 'conspiracy theories'. Though of course eschatology and conspiracy theories have a direct overlap in content and purpose often. As a Muslim and therefore a religious person who does hold eschatological beliefs (though not uncritically) I speak of myself in those areas of overlap, I guess.

That said, for instance, I am very pro-Jewish but anti-Zionist. I oppose the Zionist ideology just as I do Daesh and the American Government, but I do not hold eschatological implications towards these things, even though it'd be so easy to give in and give them eschatological credibility. (and even more if I was a Protestant Christian)

But in terms of Jewish history and Christian eschatology, it is easy to relate to the sentiment that in modernity we are trapped in Babylon again, except globally. In the Apocalypse of St John, it is definitely a certain sad and ironic lament, later taken up with more hostility and hysteria by Protestant Christians. Yet the Catholics, for their years of political power, rejoiced in what they thought was the 'Millennium of Christ' as rulers of Europe, Asia etc. 

Jews at one point actually ruled and had empires, they thrived for some time. For around 1600 years Christians ruled everywhere through what is now dubbed "The West". 

They've largely lost that luxury and are under "Pagan" rule now through secularism. 

It's only a repeat of ancient history though. There was a point in the life time of previous Prophets where neither Judaism nor Christianity existed. 

Our central, defining patriarch, Abraham, is one such example. 

The irony at least for Christians though, is that literally since the very beginning, their law system has not been Torahic, but rather a syncretized amalgamation of secular pagan law anyway. Christians (except for the Nazarenes and Ebionites) have never followed the Torah, so in a way they've always been Babylon anyway.

Since the destruction of the 2nd temple, Jews have been scattered anyway. 

Any fear towards secularism coming from Jews and Christians is a matter of pride.

As for Muslims it's a much more different situation, but due to the fall of the Sunni Caliphates, there is not much they can really complain about without also being hypocritical. 

I am in no way justifying or defending modernity or our secular west either here. But perspective has to be noted in regards to certain demographics of people, many of whom are very familiar to us.