The Decline of Satan -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 16:07:45 02/22/08 Fri
Author: Erin Risch
Subject: The Decline of Satan

I don't think I agree with Girard's theory about Satan being one and the same with mimetic contagion, but I was thinking about the implications of this beliefs anyway.

Girard states on p. 149 of I See Satan, "As times passes [sic], the devil's place shrinks in Western theological thought." I started thinking about how Satan's presence declines not only in formal theology, but in fad churches as well. In many churches, Satan, Hell, and etc. are topics that are increasingly avoided for fear of seeming unloving or judgmental. Girard gives some voice to this trend on p. 122 of I See Satan when he mentions that "entire churches, led by their clergy, switch their allegiance and go over to the camp of 'pluralism.' This pluralism is a relativism that claims it is 'more Christian' than the adherence to dogma because it is 'kinder' and more 'tolerant' toward non-Christian religions."

Anyway, could our current amnesia in regards to Satan be related to the fact that his choice weapon, mimetic contagion and the single victame mechanism, is in decline as well? I don't want to make our age out as superior and scapegoat all the ages that have come before us, but we've talked about our hyper-sensitivity to the victim's plight. Perhaps we are less on our guard, perhaps we feel less need to actively fight Satan since he has been disabled via the crucifixion.

On the other hand, perhaps it comes from our fear of victimizing those who don't agree with us, those who might not believe in Satan at all.

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