Re: Imitatio and Piosity -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 12:58:31 03/04/08 Tue
Author: CS Holden
Subject: Re: Imitatio and Piosity
In reply to: Betsy Peters 's message, "Re: Imitatio and Piosity" on 05:54:12 03/04/08 Tue

True. The ideal application of "imitatio Christi" is external in nature, and with the inherent boundary that kind of imitation cannot result in violence. But I wonder if there is anything like that kind of boundary in an internal mimetic relationship, provided that the internal mediation ultimately roots itself in someone's external imitation of Christ.

Think about Sancho and Don Quixote. If DQ had chosen Christ as his external model instead of Amadis of Gaul, can Sancho's imitation of DQ inherently avoid the possibility of violence? Is there a built-in boundary?

For instance, if I say I'm living a life of "imitatio Christi" and start a new blend of Christianity based on that, I may attract a following of people who may unknowingly mistake me for their model, instead of zeroing in on Christ. Ideally, I would guide my followers to look past me to MY model, but what if I were unconscious of my status as their model? What if they were unconscious of it, too? Because my imitation of Christ is the root of their imitation of me, is it still imitatio Christi? I suppose it's the exact opposite, is it not--Idolatry?

And then I wonder if that kind of mimesis is the source of the stereotypical turmoil (gossips, sewing circles, Christian passive aggression, etc.) that plagues many modern churches. People have turned from imitating Christ and instead are internally mediating each other. Or is this way off-base? I feel like I'm missing something.

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Replies:

Re: Imitatio and Piosity -- Cara, 18:26:49 03/08/08 Sat