Welcome back to Good Life, a newsletter devoted to navigating modern culture while staying grounded. This week, we’re looking at France’s ongoing decline.
The French Revolution holds a revered spot in today’s narrative, often seen as the beginning of liberty and human rights. Events like the storming of the Bastille and the Declaration of the Rights of Man were seen as necessary disruptions that shaped the modern world.
Essentially, it’s portrayed as a good thing to have overthrown the ruling class, desecrated churches, and caused the deaths of many clergy and innocents. The campaign to dechristianize aimed to swap Catholicism—central to France for a millennium—with civic religions, marking, perhaps, a significant transformation for the nation.
I can’t help but wonder if the revolutionaries had foreseen the current state of France, how many would have chosen to avert the Reign of Terror, even at the cost of their own lives.
What unfolded in 1793 appears to be echoing once again in 2026, albeit under different slogans and a modern veneer.
Back in the revolution, Église Saint-Laurent, a historical church with origins dating to the sixth century, was forcibly taken and transformed into a venue for the Cult of Reason, which prioritized state worship over Christian devotion. The church, once a beacon of faith, became a “Temple of Reason.”
Fast forward to today, and this sacred space is facing a new kind of incursion—this time from a far-left ideology rooted in LGBTQ principles, identity politics, and secular indulgence. In an interesting twist, France now allows it to serve as a stage for Nuit Blanche, an ideological festival led by activist Barbara Butch.
During Nuit Blanche, which is an all-night art celebration in Paris, Église Saint-Laurent will showcase “Sous la peau du ciel” (“Under the Skin of the Sky”), an immersive installation focused on expressing desires for love, diversity, and inclusion.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Butch was instrumental in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she oversaw a controversial reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, featuring drag performers and dancers. I remember seeing her post a comparison online that she later deleted, calling it “the new gay testament.”
Butch embodies a shift in the revolutionary spirit. Where the Jacobins aimed to replace Christian traditions with civic rituals, contemporary figures like her wish to fill historical religious venues with a secular concept of “love” that largely excludes traditional Christianity.
The troubling part? Apparently, the priests and diocese overseeing Saint-Laurent gave their approval for this festival.
The revolution didn’t signify France rising; instead, it marked its decline—a self-inflicted injury reflected in the country’s present-day issues. This is starkly illustrated by reports of six Catholics being arrested while peacefully praying outside Église Saint-Laurent in protest of this festival.
A group of Catholics gathered at the church to voice their dissent, praying quietly to highlight what they viewed as sacrilege occurring within a consecrated space. Naturally, French left-wing media painted these peaceful protesters as far-right extremists.
Christianity has officially been stripped of its status as the state religion in France, allowing anyone the license to elevate themselves to a divine level. During the revolution, values like reason and liberty were deified; today, sexual identity seems to sit atop that hierarchy. Various other segments of this radical framework are also visible. For instance, immigrants, those who challenge sexual norms, and even Muslims can express their beliefs publicly, no matter how disruptive they may seem. Yet, peaceful Catholics praying outside their historic church face handcuffs.
I’m not suggesting that pre-revolutionary France was a utopia. There was plenty of poverty, injustice, and corruption. But it was a time when France fostered a culture that produced magnificent cathedrals, saints, and thinkers who shaped Western civilization. Spiritually, the revolution castrated the country. France transitioned from being the “Eldest Daughter of the Church” to one of Europe’s most aggressively secular nations, and Saint-Laurent has quietly witnessed this transformation.
A similar narrative plays out in the U.S. during the sexual revolution. We’ve discarded our Christian identity in favor of sexual liberation, which has led to children learning about adult sexual topics in elementary school.
I came across a story the other day about a woman who overheard a conversation among her daughter and friends. They were clueless about who Jesus was or the significance of a priest or pastor. Even if someone isn’t a Christian, there’s generally some basic understanding of these concepts. It seems we’re reverting to a more primitive understanding of these principles, even here.
The truth is that the scars from revolution never fully heal. The cycle of desecration and loss continues, as that revolutionary impulse often seeks to repurpose rather than appreciate its history. Even if a fragment of their heritage survives the turmoil, those left to manage it may be at a loss, drawn to it without truly grasping its essence.
If you have any questions or comments about this newsletter, feel free to reach out.
Heard It Through The Grapevine:
Natalie Sandoval recently discusses why Sally Choi, the art director for “Obsession,” made a questionable choice by voicing her frustrations. It’s a piece worth reading as Natalie elaborates on how sometimes, remaining silent might be the smarter move for your career.
Geoff Ingersoll weighs in on the outcome of the LA mayoral race and suggests how Spencer Pratt might handle his loss with the humorous remark, “Spencer Pratt should sue.”
