I think his controversial ideas were to much, to soon to fit in the theology of the Vatican, he had to conform or fit his ideas better into the tradition (otherwise "anything goes"). To see one account of this other side of the story read: An "Original Theology: Creation and Matthew Fox" by Michael D. OBrien in which Michael O'Brien as an agent of partiarchy does a conspiracy theory, demonizing Matthew Fox. Note that the Vatican has failed to prove Matthew Fox a hereric.
The "reptilian brain" Matthew Fox refers to is a symbol for the 'survival/power mode' of people, an example he puts with in line with what feminists call the patriarchy. He is coming from deep ecology (Arne Naess), Teilhard de Chardin and ecofeminism (see starhawk) angle.
He means "reptiliian" in the context of the multiple layers of the brain: the reptillian part, which we share with reptillians (brainstem, lymbic system) the mammalian brain, that which we share with other mammals (cortex), the human or rational brain (neo-cortex).
It is not an explicit or implicit referral to Icke type reptilians, illuminati etc, or how the word "reptilian" is commonly used in the context of topics discussed here. Just because the word is similar doesn't mean he hints at the same concept.
It is more than a little eerie in its foresight, and it is particularly apropos in view of this current regime of terror, whose members are masquerading as "the leaders of democracy" in the U.S.
Matthew Fox is about creation spirituality first, not about conspiracy theory. I personally don't see any particular foresight or eerieness in the excerpt in context of Matthew Fox views or thoughts.
This said I agree with Marry that Matthew Fox and Starhawk would identify the current regime in the US as one face of patriarchy, just like they would identify the Vatican or China as such in the context of suppression of mother creation. According to them the suppression of mother creation has been running through the world for a long time, the same suppression that burned cathars and witches and demonizes gay marriages or all sexuality outside of the confines of heterosexual marriage.
Matthew Fox:
SEXUALITY: We will not be ashamed or afraid of the body and its power of sexuality. For too long there has been a separation of the soul and body (due mainly to the belief that the soul is able to get closer to God than the body which many Christians believe to be corrupted by sin). Sex should be enjoyed and embraced as a gift from God. It is not to be despised or used as a weapon of control. The penis is able to bring life and as such it should be used in a responsible way. Love-making should be seen as an art."
Perhaps Alex Grey was partly inspired by Fox's Coming of the Cosmic Christ in his excellent painting: http://www.alexgrey.com/a-gallery/8-24/cc_detail.jpg
]]>The Coming Of The Cosmic Christ
From Mary Sparrowdancer
11-9-4
The above book was written in 1987 by Matthew Fox, who has been an ordained priest since 1967. He was subsequently silenced by the Vatican, and later dismissed from the Dominican order. I highly recommend this book to all.
The following is a quote from page 250, Appendix D. It is more than a little eerie in its foresight, and it is particularly apropos in view of this current regime of terror, whose members are masquerading as "the leaders of democracy" in the U.S.
"A LITANY OF DELIVERANCE"
From Patriarchy's dualism,
From Patriarchy's proneness to self-pity,
From Patriarchy's sentimentalism,
From Patriarchy's violence,
From Patriarchy's lack of imagination,
From Patriarchy's intellectual laziness,
From Patriarchy's lack of authentic curiosity,
From Patriarchy's separation of head from body,
From Patriarchy's separation of body from feelings,
From Patriarchy's preoccupation with sex,
From Patriarchy's fear of intimacy,
From Patriarchy's reptilian brain,
From Patriarchy's anthropocentrism,
From Patriarchy's cosmic loneliness,
From Patriarchy's crucifixion of Mother Earth,
From Patriarchy's envy and manipulation of children,
From Patriarchy's abuse of women,
From Patriarchy's homophobia,
From Patriarchy's righteousness,
From Patriarchy's idolatry of nationhood
and national security,
From Patriarchy's forgetfulness of beauty and art,
From Patriarchy's impotence to heal,
From Patriarchy's sado-masochism,
From Patriarchy's parental cannibalism
and devouring of its children,
From Patriarchy's lack of balance,
From Patriarchy's savaging of the earth,
From Patriarchy's quest for immortality,
From Patriarchy's ego,
From Patriarchy's waste of talent and resources,
human and earth,
From Patriarchy's human chauvinism,
From Patriarchy's compulsion to go into debt
to finance its bloated lifestyles,
From Patriarchy's matricide, spare us O Divine One.
