In the last few years, he's travelled deeper into Great Reset theories than I'm willing to follow him. But he still has a lot of interesting things to say, especially about popular culture and entertainment.
In a recent video on a new YouTube phenomenon called "The Backrooms", which is interesting in itself, Cullen has this to say about the last few decades of our cultural life: "When you look back at footage of decades part, you can clearly recognise that the nineteen-sixties was visually, stylistically different from the nineteen-fifties... You can observe noticeable distinctions between fashions and musical styles in the seventies, eighties and nineties... But at some point, during the first few years of the 2000s, music just stopped innovating...The same is true of films and television shows, and fashion became derivative...a person from 2005 could be transported to a busy city centre in 2022, and aside from the noticeable ubiquity of smartphones, they would probably think they were still in the same decade..."
This is interesting to me given I've often felt the same thing. I think I might have touched on it in my series on the "atmosphere" of different decades. I'd always suspected, however, that it was simply a case of me growing older and less receptive to the world around me. But maybe it's not just that, that the stagnation is something real?
Since Dave has rediscovered his faith, do you think he is a good Christian and Catholic?
ReplyDeleteI think he's following his conscience. I wouldn't agree with him about everything and I'd strongly disagree with him about a few things, but I think he's very brave and has good instincts. He didn't actually become a Catholic, to my knowledge. I think he even says he doesn't necessarily believe in the afterlife.
DeleteSo true. You disagree with some of Dave's points, which ones? I disagree with his belief that the Pope is anti-Catholic and a shill for the globalist cabal.
DeleteWell, that obviously. Also I don't believe the lockdowns were part of some overarching plan by a global elite. I do think there is a globalist agenda, but not that it's as elaborate as all that. Also I don't really think the sort of ethno-nationalism Dave embraces is really a runner, or even compatible with Christianity. Ireland doesn't ultimately belong to the Irish, this seems to go against the universal destination of goods. I say this even though I think there is excessive immigration to Ireland. Quite apart from any considerations of culture, we just can't afford to keep fuelling an accommodation crisis.
DeleteAll good points. You included one point that shows how life has changed from the 2000s to now – “immigration”. Amongst many other changes, a person from the 2000s would notice that Ireland has become more cosmopolitan.
DeleteIn your blog, you revealed that “Back when [Dave] was an atheist, [you] prayed for him to discover faith, and [you were] delighted when this happened.”
Do you still feel delighted when Dave creates posts like this https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1289884925134114817
How do you feel when Dave depicts the Pope with horns and burning in Hell?
Saddened, but not surprised. Sadly a lot of proclaimed Catholics are equally dismissive of the Pope.
DeleteI have the same feelings when I see Dave's harsh portrayal of the Pope. In an earlier comment, you brought up the point that Dave does not believe in the afterlife. But the afterlife is the keystone of Christianity. Without the afterlife, there is no Heaven, no Hell. No afterlife denotes there is nothing after death. Is that the view of a Christian?
DeleteNo, I don't think it's an orthodox Christian view, but I'm glad he's found his way to Christianity of any sort-- even heterodox. Besides, he suggested in his video that he wasn't quite there "yet", as far as I understand. He may still be developing in his faith.
Delete100% not "an orthodox Christian view". "He may still be developing in his faith". In 2019, Dave made a video about finding his unorthodox version of God. In the following three years, Dave made passing comments on religion. I have not seen any positive development in his faith. In light of his anti-Pope message, I believe that Dave has regressed.
DeleteMaolsheachlann, you "prayed for Dave to discover faith, and was delighted when this happened". From my standpoint, Dave hasn't discovered his faith, but is paying lip service to Christianity. In my experience, actions speak louder than words. In the last 12 months, which of Dave's actions confirms your belief that Dave has discovered his faith?
DeleteI think that just the fact that an atheist proclaims his belief in God and Christ is a good action in itself. I don't want to judge. Do you think he is claiming to be Christian to please his audience? I don't think so. I think he is sincere.
DeleteDave's proclamation of his belief in God are words. What are the actions taken by Dave to show his belief in God? Recently, in a video, Dave spoke about not going to Church as the Church no longer believes in itself. Dave also spoke about his belief that the Devil is in the Church. Ignoring Dave's initial proclamation, which of his action make you believe that he is sincere?
DeleteIf he sincerely believes that, I think he is right to say it! I think everyone who proclaims Christ, including Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, are basically doing a good deed thereby. It doesn't mean I don't have strong differences with them or don't think doctrine is important.
Delete"If he sincerely believes that, I think he is right to say it!" - I wouldn't agree with such a belief. Dave believes that the Catholic Church has allowed the Devil to enter it. If Dave told his followers to burn Catholic Churches because they contained the Devil. Would you be ok with that? If he sincerely believes it, then he is right to say it?
DeleteNo, but I think you'd agree that's a reductio ab absurdum if ever there was one!
DeleteYes, but the example illustrates the point that just because someone is sincere doesn't equate to being right to say it.
DeleteOur discussion reminded me of another post that Dave created in April. He endorsed this https://rumble.com/embed/vy072h/
In short, the Catholic Church have poisoned the Covid vaccine with snake venom. For more detail, Dr Bryan Ardis explains why the Catholic Church is behind the Covid pandemic https://www.bitchute.com/video/caZSmSwxZNAu/
Perhaps, Dave could be Christian. But why would he promote such anti-Catholic conspiracy theories?
Honestly, there is so much anti-Church rhetoric coming even from within the Church itself that I feel I have to take a pretty broad view. Are the E. Michael Jones's and Taylor Marshalls doing good in proclaiming Christ? I would say yes, although I worry about the damage they are doing.
DeletePeople like E. Michael Jones's and Taylor Marshall do not help the situation. But do they endorse the belief that the Devil is in the Catholic Church and Catholics are poisoning the population with snake venom? Returning to my question, why would Dave promote such anti-Catholic conspiracy theories?
DeleteI think because the "red-pilled" right are convinced that any global institute is corrupt. Sadly, their branch of nationalism doesn't pay much attention to national culture (like the Irish language), which is really the most important strand of nationalism in my view. It's all about genes.
DeleteAgreed. This summer, I saw some videos of a group of Irish nationalists who rowed along the Shannon. The oars were soon stowed and replaced with an outboard motor. That gave the patriots more time to sing Irish songs. Their rendition of Óró sé do bheatha abhaile is painful. Endless repeating of the chorus.
DeleteIt's all about genes – I’m not sure what you are trying to convey. Can you elaborate?
What I meant to say was, to the populist right in Ireland, it seems that the focus of their attention is descent, biology, genetics, etc. Whereas I think it should be culture, which is open to everybody, whatever your descent, colour, or background.
DeleteRelieved to read that. Thought that this conversation was going to become all about removing everyone who couldn't trace their lineage back to the Battle of Clontarf.
Delete