I feel really sorry for Conservative Christians. It must be awful to go through life terrified: to believe that you are perpetually in danger; to always be threatened by encroaching predators lurking in the shadows, around corners, beneath the bed, in the bathroom, at the border.
Ironically, white evangelical nationalists fear "Sharia Law" when they are doing everything in their power to enact it under their version of Christianity. A nation where only men of the predominant ethnic and religious group are important and everyone else is second (or worse) class humans. Where books and news that don't fit their very small world-view are declared heretical, pornographic, or false, and banned. Where love is limited to a small subset of the infinite possibilities. Where women must submit their most personal decisions to the patriarchy. Where only one version of God and worship is acceptable. Sadly, I do not think those in the cult are reachable. My only hope is that more of the people who follow a loving God and value the foundational freedoms of the US will show up at the polls in greater numbers than the fearful hateful people.
Exactly. I have one MAGA friend left besides family members who are Republican and aren't quite that far gone yet. He is 41 years old, a construction worker, very intelligent and he buys into all of Trump's BS. Believes a lot of conspiracy theories, talks about the Uniparty, the New World Order, Biden crime family, etc. etc. If he weren't a long time family friend he wouldn't still be in my life. He doesn't believe in God really but basically is a decent person. But he has a lot of those fears. Fear of the immigrants, the trans people, fear of losing his guns and on and on.
My family members are a different story. They are all "Christians". Good people but they follow the GOP Party line and would die before they'd consider Voting for a Democrat. I'll never understand. 💔
That was beautifully written. I agree with every word. How awful it must be to feel such hate and anger at so many things. Jesus preached love. Help those who need it. Be kind. Love your fellow man, even if you don't understand him. I've always believed He can see what's in one's heart. Hate is an awful thing. Thank you for sharing your words. 😊
Their fear is all encompassing and self-fulfilling. Their self centered beliefs create so much of their pain. Seeking a “strongman” to whip everyone’s butt to get their way is very misguided. Their views on life and citizenship are distorted. They profess to be followers of Christ yet they act very much the opposite. The envy they seem to have has transformed into jealousy and hate. Their desire to play the “victim” creates victimhood. Most of the rest of us want to simply live without someone else dictating the rules for a good life.
I have a good life. Why? Because I walk through this world guided by love and compassion. I refuse to live in fear thus I don’t own a gun, I welcome immigrants, I care for the less fortunate, I believe you have the right to your own opinion and I want you to do the same, I respect you even when I don’t understand you, I believe good Americans come in all colors, religions and heritages, I believe in equal rights, I believe women are very capable of being leaders, decision-makers and should be honored, I believe who you want to love is your business, I believe we have an obligation to protect people when they are persecuted, I believe human rights outweigh fighting over land, I believe no one should go without food, shelter and safety, I believe in the Golden Rule, I believe I am my brother and sister’s keeper, I believe it takes a Village to care for our children,
I may not understand the workings of LBGTQ members but I do not hate them and I’m going to do everything within my power to ensure that everyone has a good shot at a good life.
Well done again John. I have long shaken my head in sadness over the choice - and it is a choice - of so many of my relatives and friends to live what should be the best years of their lives in senseless fear and blind hatred, often in conflict with their children over these issues. Rather than enjoy the beauty of every day and the love of their families and friends, they prioritize pseudo-relationships with media manipulators and fiery preachers and immerse themselves in a toxic stew of hatred with an imagined sense of righteousness I truly mourn the loss while always keeping the door open for the light of reason and grace to provide the opportunity to help them rejoin their blessed communities of family and friends. It will be a lifelong effort - but worth it to me.
These thougts have been chasing around in my brain for years, but I haven't been able to articulate them in a way that's coherent enough to make sense of them. You've done that so eloquently here; I will be referring to this piece a lot going forward. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Beautifully said as always John. You have such a way with words. Definitely divine inspiration. Thank you Jesus for this precious soul. Keep up the great work. We need you and appreciate you!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Oh thank you, John. Yes, Jesus came to bring *good* news, the best there is. His love and grace are greater than the despair and evil that surrounds us, and He's the One who will keep us going through this hateful insanity and help us to reflect who Hd really is. Thank you for reminding us again that He really IS the greatest!
Home run again! Send to all major newspapers. Would be great is anyone from Fox News was willing to read it on the air (with your permission of course)
Thanks for the uplifting words today, John. As I read your words, I must share a banner I saw today on my bike ride, 'Jesus is our Savior' and below that, "Trump 2024'. Nothing like tying in religion and Trump. I assume they're ignorant , do not care, or can't see him as the embodiment of the dealy sins.
It might be fun if the media were as positive as you are. For instance, after the next terrorist attack, if they were to announce that 328,200,198 people were not shot today in the US by terrorist..
A seminal piece, capturing the intolerable irony of the Evangelical faith machine which grinds away at love and instills fear and raises up thoughtless and heartless existence as salvation. The devil could not do it any better.
I agree-if I were that afraid of anything and everything, I'd be a hot mess who never left the house for fear of whatever might happen. I can't imagine what it's like to constantly live in that state and not feel/notice its effects on your well being. That's a quick way to a short life: fear and anger. I find it odd that those who claim to follow their savior apparently read a different book than I did. I don't recognize their version of Jesus, not even remotely.
Ironically, white evangelical nationalists fear "Sharia Law" when they are doing everything in their power to enact it under their version of Christianity. A nation where only men of the predominant ethnic and religious group are important and everyone else is second (or worse) class humans. Where books and news that don't fit their very small world-view are declared heretical, pornographic, or false, and banned. Where love is limited to a small subset of the infinite possibilities. Where women must submit their most personal decisions to the patriarchy. Where only one version of God and worship is acceptable. Sadly, I do not think those in the cult are reachable. My only hope is that more of the people who follow a loving God and value the foundational freedoms of the US will show up at the polls in greater numbers than the fearful hateful people.
Exactly. I have one MAGA friend left besides family members who are Republican and aren't quite that far gone yet. He is 41 years old, a construction worker, very intelligent and he buys into all of Trump's BS. Believes a lot of conspiracy theories, talks about the Uniparty, the New World Order, Biden crime family, etc. etc. If he weren't a long time family friend he wouldn't still be in my life. He doesn't believe in God really but basically is a decent person. But he has a lot of those fears. Fear of the immigrants, the trans people, fear of losing his guns and on and on.
My family members are a different story. They are all "Christians". Good people but they follow the GOP Party line and would die before they'd consider Voting for a Democrat. I'll never understand. 💔
Yes, it's the same version of control in a different flavor, one they find palatable.
That was beautifully written. I agree with every word. How awful it must be to feel such hate and anger at so many things. Jesus preached love. Help those who need it. Be kind. Love your fellow man, even if you don't understand him. I've always believed He can see what's in one's heart. Hate is an awful thing. Thank you for sharing your words. 😊
Beautifully said BC. 👏
Their fear is all encompassing and self-fulfilling. Their self centered beliefs create so much of their pain. Seeking a “strongman” to whip everyone’s butt to get their way is very misguided. Their views on life and citizenship are distorted. They profess to be followers of Christ yet they act very much the opposite. The envy they seem to have has transformed into jealousy and hate. Their desire to play the “victim” creates victimhood. Most of the rest of us want to simply live without someone else dictating the rules for a good life.
I have a good life. Why? Because I walk through this world guided by love and compassion. I refuse to live in fear thus I don’t own a gun, I welcome immigrants, I care for the less fortunate, I believe you have the right to your own opinion and I want you to do the same, I respect you even when I don’t understand you, I believe good Americans come in all colors, religions and heritages, I believe in equal rights, I believe women are very capable of being leaders, decision-makers and should be honored, I believe who you want to love is your business, I believe we have an obligation to protect people when they are persecuted, I believe human rights outweigh fighting over land, I believe no one should go without food, shelter and safety, I believe in the Golden Rule, I believe I am my brother and sister’s keeper, I believe it takes a Village to care for our children,
I may not understand the workings of LBGTQ members but I do not hate them and I’m going to do everything within my power to ensure that everyone has a good shot at a good life.
Well done again John. I have long shaken my head in sadness over the choice - and it is a choice - of so many of my relatives and friends to live what should be the best years of their lives in senseless fear and blind hatred, often in conflict with their children over these issues. Rather than enjoy the beauty of every day and the love of their families and friends, they prioritize pseudo-relationships with media manipulators and fiery preachers and immerse themselves in a toxic stew of hatred with an imagined sense of righteousness I truly mourn the loss while always keeping the door open for the light of reason and grace to provide the opportunity to help them rejoin their blessed communities of family and friends. It will be a lifelong effort - but worth it to me.
These thougts have been chasing around in my brain for years, but I haven't been able to articulate them in a way that's coherent enough to make sense of them. You've done that so eloquently here; I will be referring to this piece a lot going forward. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Beautifully said as always John. You have such a way with words. Definitely divine inspiration. Thank you Jesus for this precious soul. Keep up the great work. We need you and appreciate you!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Oh thank you, John. Yes, Jesus came to bring *good* news, the best there is. His love and grace are greater than the despair and evil that surrounds us, and He's the One who will keep us going through this hateful insanity and help us to reflect who Hd really is. Thank you for reminding us again that He really IS the greatest!
Excellent article, thank you
Home run again! Send to all major newspapers. Would be great is anyone from Fox News was willing to read it on the air (with your permission of course)
Thanks for the uplifting words today, John. As I read your words, I must share a banner I saw today on my bike ride, 'Jesus is our Savior' and below that, "Trump 2024'. Nothing like tying in religion and Trump. I assume they're ignorant , do not care, or can't see him as the embodiment of the dealy sins.
Now that’s scary!….
It might be fun if the media were as positive as you are. For instance, after the next terrorist attack, if they were to announce that 328,200,198 people were not shot today in the US by terrorist..
A seminal piece, capturing the intolerable irony of the Evangelical faith machine which grinds away at love and instills fear and raises up thoughtless and heartless existence as salvation. The devil could not do it any better.
I agree-if I were that afraid of anything and everything, I'd be a hot mess who never left the house for fear of whatever might happen. I can't imagine what it's like to constantly live in that state and not feel/notice its effects on your well being. That's a quick way to a short life: fear and anger. I find it odd that those who claim to follow their savior apparently read a different book than I did. I don't recognize their version of Jesus, not even remotely.