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| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
As a representative of a "non-first world country", I can assure you that it isn't any different around here. That's why I found the bit about Argentina almost insulting.
What I reckon is fascinating about survivalists is that they're mainly from the United States, which is very telling given their culture. I opened two threads at random in the forum Chris posted, one titled "Clearing it up. Why you should STFU after self defense !!" and one called "How will you power your communication plan after a real TSHTF situation". I just spotted two users from outside the US (one is from Australia and the other from a "Bolivarian Republic"... though it could just be a Chaves supporter in the US).
I know Christian culture is infatuated with eschatology (protestants apparently even more so, though I can't confirm): there's always been some tension regarding the last of days, though it's probably more secularised now and instead of a cataclysm commanded by God, we find it more likely to have a natural disaster sweep us off the surface of the planet. Newton ages ago thought our days was counted, and he was amongst the brightest minds ever raised in a Christian environment.
However, what seems to set the US apart is the deeply ingrained belief that everyone is out to get them - even themselves. You should rely on no one but yourself, apparently, and even their rather docile government (compared to more authoritarian regimes around the world) is a source of anxiety. No wonder the US is the only rich nation where religion is still important to most of the population: I'm yet to read Zuckerman's "Society Without God" but he does say a few things about this American anxiety and how it relates to their religiosity.
So much for the 2nd amendment, heh  |
I don't see it being related to religion at all, really. A case can very well be made that religion is so deeply engrained into our culture that it is indivisible with gender stereotypes to a point, but it's quite indirect. No, survivalism is altogether lumped with masculinity in my country. I would consider camping/fishing to be a rather formitive rite of passage for young males, and indeed we have exceedingly Christian-centric organizations like the Boy Scouts of America that generally pride themselves on things like tying knots, making fires with mere sticks, and filming grainy sex tapes in the scoutmaster's basement when there's a sleepover. But indeed, the United States has a vast array of terrains and environmental investments to eschew great portions of land specifically for recreation, it's just second competence tradition these days that guys should know how to handle themselves in the wild places if they're indeed men at all. Hurr-hurr-hurr.
Mix that with firearms possession and truck balls, you have a potent combination of standards to which we can accomplish all manner of temperamental indoctrinations such as homophobia and paranoia. God bless.
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There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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