Tradition and its opposites

Vessariò

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Tradition, antitradition and countertradition | RidingTheTiger

In this context, “tradition” has a meaning which is far removed from mere custom or folklore. Instead, “Tradition” takes on the facets of something which is divine and eternal. In a word, it calls man back to what Schuon called the ”transcendent unity”. Tradition contrasts with modernity, whose sight is limited in scope, and concerned with quantity, not quality. Evola describes the Tradition as embodying that which is “solar,” or “heroic” in nature, while anti-tradition is the direct antithesis of that.

Since Modernity is opposed to Tradition, there are two concepts that can be invoked in the description of modern life: antitradition and countertradition. These may be perceived as the causes and effects of modernity. In The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times, René Guénon characterizes the antitradition as a mere negation of Tradition. In other words, the characteristic symptoms of modernity, such as materialism, democracy, and secular humanism are a denial of Tradition, merely in the sense of failing to recognize it; they are a deviation without actually becoming openly hostile. Countertradition, however is a step further along the path of degeneration. It is the satanic inversion of true spirituality, leading to the regime of Antichrist.

The notion of this a "counter-" or "anti-tradition" is something that one might associate, as the author suggests with the end times and many false teachers. But, it creates more than mere false religious teaching, and embodies all of society as a whole. This is an idea that is present in much of Religious thought, from its earlier days.

The idea of a sudden "judgement" or "rectification" also re-appears many times in varying scriptures. According to the Mahabharata :

"At the end of Kali-yuga, when there exist no topics on the subject of God, even at the residences of so-called saints and respectable gentlemen of the three higher varnas [guna or temperament] and when nothing is known of the techniques of sacrifice, even by word, at that time the Lord will appear as the supreme chastiser."
 
Again, I feel that the article starts out with an agenda and defines the word Tradition to serve that purpose. I personally believe Tradition has an important place in society and has a lot to offer. But at the same it also means so much more than those chosen words that define everything good, and the opposite of Tradition isn't necessary the opposite of those chosen words.

I've noticed that I'm having a hard time taking the articles from RidingTheTiger seriously. It's unfortunate but they're simply operating from a moral perspective that is very different from my own.
 
They use the same idea of "Tradition" as the Traditionalist School, which is unlike the modern sense with restricts Tradition merely to "nostalgia for the past" or mere "conservatism" (thus, Traditon is independent of customs or norms). With respect to religious studies, this specifically means the "Primordial Tradition" or prisca theologia that asserts that a single, true, theology exists, which threads through all religions, and which was given by God to man in antiquity.

Tradition, as peculiar to the Traditionalist school, also implies the worldview and metaphysics that arise from the perennial stream of thought.

Traditionalist School - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
Thank you Vessariò, I have never encountered this school of though before. It appears that it is the fundamental source of my disagreement with that site.
 
Tradition, antitradition and countertradition | RidingTheTiger
t is in the realm of countertradition, from which the prophesied Antichrist or Dajjal is to arise, because the Antichrist will superficially resemble Christ the Messiah, while doing the work of the Devil. Thus, Tradition is not merely denied, but it is inverted, as per Guenon’s thesis. This antichrist will seemingly provide for the needs of the people but deny them ultimate salvation.

You are what you believe. Traditions change but the truth never does. An antichrist is present in traditions that stray away from original truth. Seeking truth and being mistaken is one thing but using tradition to lie about the truth is another.
 
Anti-christ, Dajjal, Second Coming, Mahdi, Kalki Avatara are useless if they come just before change of Yugas or the day of judgment.
 
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