Politics: The Post-Modern Religion

“The basis of a genuine heternonomy is the claim to speak in the name of the ground of being and therefore in an unconditional and ultimate way. A heteronomous authority usually expresses itself in terms of myth and cult because these are the direct and intentional expressions of the depth of reason. It is also possible for nonmythical and nonritual forms to gain power over the mind (e.g. political ideas). Heteronomy in this sense is usually a reaction against an autonomy which has lost its depth and has become empty and powerless.” – Paul Tillich, “Systematic Theology Vol. 1”; pp. 84,85.