THE
COUNTERFORCE
Reason & Faith in a Unique Alliance Against Toxic Demagogues
COUNTERFORCE
ErikPleijel.se
ENGLISH VERSION
Are you concerned about the following things?
- Narcissistic and reckless politicians gaining power.
- Toxic polarisation tearing the world apart.
- Lack of reasoned debate to tackle pressing problems.
This website explores a classic strategy for dealing with these problems. Unfortunately, it has almost been forgotten in our time. Reason and faith are often seen as opposites, but they need not be. They can form a surprisingly powerful alliance – if you know the secret. Join the quest for the forgotten counterforce!
START HERE!
Quick overview. Reading time 5 – 8 minutes.
Broader and deeper. Like a 70-page book.
ABOUT ME. I’m Erik Pleijel from Sweden. My interest is in theology and philosophy that can be rooted in everyday life. I have done some work in programming and in water supply in Africa.
In my book Adventures and Reflections I share my experiences. Here are extracts from newspapers that have written about it:
In fast-moving, sometimes dramatic texts , he takes us to genocidal Rwanda, civil war Sri Lanka and an absurdly closed North Korea. ... But he is not an ordinary technology nerd, rather a humanist, philosopher and theologian. Who thrives on human diversity, listens, learns, reflects and tries to empathise with the history and identity of other individuals and cultures. ... [Swedish prime minister], give this book to your ... minister for international development ...!
Column in Bohusläningen newspaper (6 Oct 2014), by Stefan Edman.
Based on his life experience, he reflects on aid, philosophy and Christian faith on a Lutheran basis. It is a wise man who writes and his wisdom is often easily transferable to everyday life in Sweden.
Review in KT, the Swedish church newspaper (34-2014), by Mikael Mogren (Bishop).
Recommend this website!
THE COUNTERFORCE: Reason and Faith in a Unique Alliance Against Toxic Demagogues Copyright © 2025 Erik Pleijel. All rights reserved. Exception: The short essay is licensed under CC BY 4.0
Illustrations:
Cartoon boy: VectorStock; Cartoon queen, sloth: FriendlyStock; Cartoon priest: Copyright Brad Fitzpatrick; Aristotle Kaio hfd CC BY-SA 3.0;
Luther, Melanchthon, Erasmus, School in Athens, Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Andromeda galaxy, ospreys: Public Domain according to Wikipedia; Other illustrations: CC0 Erik Pleijel.
Contact: email