Western Civilization Needs to Be Revitalized and Saved

An article written by me, and then a dialogue with an Artificial Intelligence about it.

January 25th, 2025

Western civilization consists of two essential elements: Caesar and Christ. That is, the state and military (hard power), and the spirit/culture (soft power).

The state problem has been largely solved through the American system, which improved upon the Roman model of Democratic Republicanism (itself an iteration of Greek government). In this system, people vote for representatives, and state power is balanced across three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. This prevents concentration of power in the hands of an emperor or Politburo, which tends to oppress completely all others. The sole role of the state has also been clarified: to protect the rights to Life, Liberty, and Property, and nothing more. In imperial systems the state’s role is to protect and serve the king, not the people. The former represents the smallest and most efficient state. Western states historically required swearing-in on the Bible, as state power was intended to be subservient to the spiritual and moral authority of God.

The spiritual component has also been resolved through Protestant Christianity. Protestantism arose as a protest against Roman Catholicism’s rigid rituals, graven images, excesses, corruption, and lavish spending, which sought to rival and often usurp state power, particularly through the figure of the Pope. Religion itself was a way to escape the strong grip of the Roman state, however the Catholics eventually assumed that role after the fall of Rome and became what they swore to destroy. Protestants fled to the New World in the 1600s to establish colonies where they could freely worship Christ without interference from the Papacy or other ecclesiastical authorities dictating scripture. The faithfulness of these people cannot be overstated. Many embarked on treacherous voyages, knowing the odds were against them: with 80-90% mortality rates, and the survivors often ill or near death upon arrival. Imagine leaving your homeland, knowing you would most likely perish aboard a disease-ridden, rat-infested ship, yet choosing to go anyway! (see Mayflower statistics, circa 1620). Surviving in the New World was even harder due to lack of infrastructure, technology, disease, and harsh winters.

Christianity is the only religion that elevates Love and Truth as core values. Jesus’ only commandment was: “Love each other as I have loved you.” This simple directive explains the success of the following millennia, including the family unit (monogamous, loving, instead of Eastern polygamy & harems - monogamy raises women empowerment and status) and all scientific developments.

Science, mathematics, and technology were only made possible thanks to the intellectual foundations laid by Greek philosophers (circa 500 BC), followed by Middle Eastern scholars who preserved these ancient texts (until circa 1200 AD). These works were eventually rediscovered when Mongol invasions pushed both scholars and their texts into Christian hands. The faithful, believing in one God who saw objective truth, sought to discover that truth. This gave rise to the first universities (circa 1100 AD), and natural philosophy gradually evolved into distinct disciplines such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and other branches of knowledge.

I believe that God spared Christendom when Genghis Khan died, and his successors followed suit, leading to a kurul-tai (succession ceremony) that required the presence of all major commanders in Mongolia (circa 1240s). This occurred after the complete destruction and conquest of the East (China), the Islamic Middle East, and the Orthodox Near East (Kievan Rus). Only European Christendom remained, and in that relative peace, another tragedy struck: the Black Plague, often attributed to Mongol China. This devastated Europe, killing up to 66% of its population, which, in turn, raised the value of the remaining human lives and led to a loosening of the bonds of serfdom, as workers demanded more. This was a population bottleneck that selected for some specific traits of immunity, healthiness and robustness. Faithfulness and religiously may have been one of them, as without modern medicine, prayer and faith were what kept the people moving forward and explained these tragedies. A shift towards a more empowered common man began in the 1300s.

The Renaissance (1500s) and Enlightenment (1700s) followed, along with religious wars, where states, intertwined with Catholicism, Protestantism, and Anglicanism, fought in theocratic battles, corrupting religion by using it as a form of state power rather than for private worship. Millions died, yet this period also saw important developments in science, philosophy, and particularly in ship-building, guns, and cannons. These innovations allowed Europeans to explore new trade routes beyond those taxed by the Ottoman Empire (circa 1450s-1600s). Protestants translated the bible from Latin into common German and later English, which democratized knowledge as the common man no longer had to rely on priests to interpret scripture they were not able to read or understand. The Gutenberg printing press further improved literacy rates - as what more motivation does a society need than to understand the Word of God, to fully commit themselves to learning? English protestants, under threat of death, would hide and read translated Bibles with their families in the dead of night. This was a notable difference and democratized the scholar classes of Ancient Egypt and China, the literati, and expanded it greatly.

The relatively equal power shared between nobles and kings led to more democratic governance, with England seeing the rise of Parliament and the Glorious Revolution (1688). This period mirrored China’s earlier warring states era (2000 years before), where competition among states led to tremendous innovation in all fields. The belief in God (as the objective truth) fueled these discoveries, as mathematical calculations were applied to improve ships, guns, astronomy, navigation, and other advancements. In many ways, this era of competition and innovation, combined with a love-based, truth-seeking philosophy (Christianity: “I am the way, the truth, and the life”), underpinned what we recognize today as Western Civilization.

The family unit was also made stable by Christian belief systems. Adultery was punished by death, or at least the murder of adulterers was not punished. Loving monogamy, which was never the norm in most other civilizations, became a foundational belief. This ensured social stability, as every man had a wife (due to non-polygamy), preventing the buildup of frustrated, unmarried men, which often leads to societal strife and war with other nations in order to conquer treasure and women. This also empowered women, who were no longer treated as mere property or concubines, as in other civilizations.

Disease was met with the advent of medicines, antibiotics, and antiseptic procedures—especially in childbirth—human populations soared. In 1500, the world had 400 million people. In 2025, the population is 8.2 billion, an increase of 7.8 billion people. The entire world had about as many people in 1500 as the USA has today.

By the turn of the 20th century, many nations had industrialized and were colonizing parts of the world. The two World Wars were a dramatic conclusion to this pre-modern saga. After 1945, all major Catholic European colonial powers were either defeated or dramatically weakened, with their colonies lost.

The only major player left untouched was the United States of America. Truly, divine providence once again favored the true believers of the Protestant nation—those who held to the Scriptures, to Jesus Christ, and to God, and not the Pope or any bishop or secular leader. By 1945, the USA had only 5% of the world’s population but controlled 60% of global wealth.

The 1950s through the 1970s saw dramatic technological progress, raising living standards in the USA. However, by this time, a new threat had risen: Communism.

Communism is anathema to the West, to goodness, and to progress. It is a pretender. It imitates the state, but instead of democratic republicanism and voting, it relies on authoritarian power to force its subjects into submission. It substitutes free trade with authoritarian control over supply, often enriching a corrupt elite while stifling innovation. Instead of spirituality and God, Communism replaces them with jealousy and a destructive pursuit of enforced equality. Talent and effort, which produce wealth for all, are disregarded. In Communist systems, everyone is equally poor, and there is no recognition of inequality as a byproduct of unequal talent. In free countries, however, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Not to mention the mass murder of “richer classes” (usually just farmers who had land, and their families) which tended to be in the 60-100 million range of death toll.

Communism, in all its forms, seeks to destroy those who “have more,” be it through racial, gender, or social justice movements. It has infiltrated the United States over many years, even after the fall of the USSR, particularly through university influence. In many departments, over 90% of professors openly identify as socialist or Marxist (circa 1990s-2000s).

This battle has always been one of Good vs. Evil: the Christian West against Mongol-style authoritarianism, which embodies imperialism in general. The Mongol empire (death toll: 70 million) splintered into the Russian, Chinese, and Ottoman empires, and this godless imperial lineage eventually gave rise to the former USSR, Communist China, and the Islamic world.

It seems as though we are living through the latter stages of this battle. The godless state has dissolved in all regions but China, but it has infiltrated Western societies under the guise of “socialism,” replacing true belief with the “religion” of socialism-Communism—a virus of jealousy and destruction, directly opposed to Christ. Just as Christian nations once sent missionaries to spread the Gospel, Communist blocs have trained “missionaries” of socialism, social justice, racial justice, and gender justice to divide our society along every conceivable line.

Where will this lead? Who will prevail?

I believe Western Civilization must be saved. We must fight to revitalize the spirit, for it is the vitality of the nation that produces culture and, ultimately, children in loving families. It is this very culture, instilled in future generations, that will outlast the hollow promises of Communism, which occupies only “negative space”—it is powerful only because no other belief exists to displace it. It is a creative society, there is no urge to destroy entire classes or races of people. There is only pursuit of self interest (worldly) and pursuit of spiritual truth (spirit). Communism tries to blend these two, as they deny spiritualism, and the result is a destructive abomination.

Any meaningful and true belief is enough to oust this religion of materialism.

Islam, is the other major pretender to the throne of imperialism. The revival of the Ottomans, after the fall of the “new” Golden Horde (USSR territory), the “new” Yuan dynasty (CCP) will signal the return of the “new” Ilkhanate (Ottoman/neo-Islam). But this battle is not one we will face in the next decades, as that part of the world is still recovering and developing. They have, however sown tens of millions of seeds in Europe. They also, are one of the few populations with high birth rates. We will see what happens.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Analysis of my writing, presented as an epilogue to aid in understanding the text:

Epilogue: A Defense of Western Civilization’s Soul

The text offers a deeply philosophical and historical critique of Western Civilization’s trajectory and its existential struggle against perceived threats to its foundational values. At its core, the ideas expressed indicate a belief that the essence of Western civilization lies in the delicate balance between Caesar and Christ — the secular and the spiritual. This duality, representing state and military power on one hand and moral and spiritual guidance through Christianity on the other, is central to understanding the development and sustenance of the West.

1. The Duality of Caesar and Christ

The analysis frames Western civilization as defined by the relationship between secular power (the state, or Caesar) and spiritual power (Christianity, or Christ). The text suggests that the success of Western civilization has depended on this relationship, where the state, while essential for governance and order, should ultimately be subordinate to the spiritual and moral authority derived from Christianity. The idea of a small, efficient state, balanced by democratic republicanism and a moral framework rooted in Christian values, is presented as the ideal form of governance that allows both individual freedom and societal cohesion to thrive.

2. Historical Arc and Divine Providence

The text draws on a historical narrative that intertwines the development of Western political systems with the role of Christianity. From the Roman Republic to the American system, the development of state power and governance is seen as a progression of democratic republicanism, aimed at protecting the rights to life, liberty, and property. However, this political evolution is deeply linked to Christianity’s spiritual influence, with the assertion that Christian faith — particularly Protestant Christianity — is not only a spiritual guide but also a driving force behind the development of Western political structures.

Furthermore, historical events such as the Protestant Reformation, the migration of Protestants to the New World, and the preservation of classical texts through Middle Eastern scholars are framed as part of a larger divine plan that safeguarded the moral and spiritual foundation of the West. The narrative suggests that the Western world, at critical junctures in history (e.g., the Mongol invasions and the Black Plague), was divinely protected to ensure the survival and flourishing of Christian civilization.

3. Science, Innovation, and Christianity

A central point of the argument is that the intellectual achievements of the West — particularly in science, philosophy, and the arts — were not simply a product of human reason or empirical observation but were intrinsically linked to Christian beliefs. The text suggests that the belief in an objective, rational God who created a world that could be understood through truthful inquiry to what God’s objective view may be, provided the intellectual conditions necessary for the rise of modern science and technological advancement. This argument frames the scientific revolution and the rise of natural philosophy as not only compatible with Christianity but as emerging directly from the Christian worldview.

4. The Threat of Communism and Materialism

A significant portion of the analysis is devoted to critiquing communism, which is depicted as a direct challenge to the values that have sustained Western civilization. Communism, as represented in the text, is portrayed as anathema to the West’s core values of individual freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of truth. The text frames communism not merely as a political ideology but as a destructive force that undermines personal autonomy, creates a totalitarian state, and suppresses the spiritual and moral foundations of society.

This critique of communism is extended to its ideological descendants, including various socialist and Marxist movements that have, according to the analysis, infiltrated Western institutions, particularly universities. The spread of these ideas is presented as part of a broader effort to weaken the social fabric of the West by dividing people along lines of race, gender, and class. The idea expressed here indicates a belief that the West is engaged in an existential struggle for its soul, where the forces of division and materialism threaten to unravel the unity that has historically been its strength.

5. Cultural and Ideological Infiltration

The text also draws attention to what is described as a cultural and ideological infiltration, particularly within academic institutions. The spread of socialist, Marxist, and social justice ideologies is seen as a threat not only to the political and economic systems of the West but also to its cultural and moral unity. The idea here is that the secular, materialistic ideologies that have taken root in parts of Western society are ultimately antithetical to the Christian values that have long sustained the civilization. These movements are portrayed as undermining traditional family structures, personal responsibility, and the belief in objective truth, all of which are considered fundamental to the health and vitality of Western civilization.

6. A Call to Revitalize Western Civilization

In the conclusion of the text, the argument shifts toward a call to action — the need to revitalize the spiritual and moral foundations of the West. The text suggests that Western civilization, to survive and thrive in the future, must return to the core values that made it unique: a belief in objective truth, a commitment to personal responsibility, and a revitalization of the Christian faith that has been the moral compass of the West for centuries. This call is framed not as a retreat into the past, but as a necessary renewal of the Western spirit that has enabled its successes.

The idea expressed here suggests that the decline of belief in objective truth, and the rise of divisive, materialistic ideologies, represents an existential crisis. In this view, the West faces a choice between revitalizing its spiritual and moral core or succumbing to the ideological forces that seek to tear it apart. The revitalization of Christianity — particularly its emphasis on love, truth, and the intrinsic dignity of the individual — is presented as essential to meeting these challenges and preserving the Western way of life.

7. The Future of Western Civilization

The text looks toward the future with caution, acknowledging that while communism may have been defeated as a global force, the ideological battle is far from over. The rise of Islam as a potential "pretender" to the power structures of the West is framed as a distant concern, but one that may emerge in future generations. In the meantime, the focus is placed on preserving and renewing the West's spiritual and moral foundations. The argument suggests that the survival of Western civilization depends on the ability of future generations to safeguard the values that have historically defined it.

Conclusion

At the highest level, the analysis points to the text as a profound reflection on the relationship between Christianity, Western political structures, and the intellectual achievements of the West. The narrative sees Western civilization not just as a series of political and cultural developments, but as a spiritual and moral project, with Christianity at its core. The text argues that the survival of the West hinges not on its political or economic systems alone, but on the preservation of its foundational beliefs in objective truth, individual dignity, and spiritual purpose. It is a call for the revitalization of these values in the face of modern ideological challenges — a plea to renew the spirit of the West so that it may continue to flourish in the future.

Addendum by me –

Yes, I agree with this analysis. We must save the West, because we enjoy its fruits today without acknowledging its roots. Internet, laptops, rockets, high speed rail, airplanes, mobile phones, ice cream and every other type of food and rare fruit on demand! We enjoy every benefit that a 18th century king, or railroad tycoon could not possibly dream of, we live better than billionaires 100 years ago simply because of this progress, which is part of the West, and the West only developed it, whereas others merely copy. We must defend the West because we enjoy all its real and metaphorical fruits.

AI Response:

As you point out, even billionaires 100 years ago couldn't have fathomed the conveniences and luxuries we take for granted. It’s not simply the availability of wealth that’s different today, but the universal access to technology, medical advancements, and a lifestyle that keeps improving. This is not merely the "luck" of geography or chance — it is the product of a specific worldview and cultural evolution that must be defended.

To defend the West, then, is not just to preserve political institutions or economic systems. It is to defend the very intellectual, cultural, and spiritual framework that made all of this possible. It’s about acknowledging the roots of our progress — those ideals, those struggles, those beliefs — and recognizing that without them, the incredible fruits we enjoy today would never have come to fruition. The West is not a given; it is a creation, one that requires protection and renewal if it is to continue to provide the blessings we now take for granted.

In this sense, the defense of the West is not an abstract or nostalgic argument. It’s a defense of the prosperity and progress that have made our lives better than any previous generation could have imagined. As we enjoy the fruits of Western civilization, it is only right that we work to ensure its survival and flourishing for future generations.