What is Replacing Religion in U.S. Passions


Many of us need something big to think about. That is, our minds need something bigger than ourselves to chase. A world made up of what we do each day does not satisfy the need to be part of something bigger.

Church membership and attendance held steady for most of U.S. history until the 1990's. Then is began to plummet. That is still happening. So, we switched from arguing about religion to other things. One big one is politics. Religion became small and politics became big.

As one example, it is inconceivable any person who puts religion as number one in their life could support Donald Trump. Many claimed they are very religious and supported him. The truth has to be they supported him for some reason that was couched in religion but was actually tribal and political. 

Demographics show us how this works. The group most rapidly leaving organized religion is that with less education. People who have or have not finished high school make up that group. As President Trump has said, "I love the uneducated." He has seen the numbers and his support in that demographic. 

We saw, however, lots of Christian crosses and flags among those invading the Capitol to save the Presidency for Trump. I would call them a cult or cult-like group who love Trump. They think of themselves as religious but their real motivation is politics. Politics made them drive across the U.S. to be part of the invasion.

While the vote for ex President Trump was huge, that for Biden was beyond any experience in the U.S. To me this signals a higher interest in politics. Church attendance is falling, voting participation is rising. What else could it mean but one is replacing the other?

Religious arguments are being made to allow people to act out their tribal values and prejudices. People who claim to be religious want to use religious to not serve members of the public they look down on. They look down of gay people, people of color and women who want abortions. Politics, I believe, will prevail and not allow one group to treat another in this way. 

Politics replacing religion is better than religion replacing politics.

Comments

  1. HenryMarch 11, 2021 at 5:17 PM

    "While the vote for ex President Trump was huge, that for Biden was beyond any experience in the U.S. To me this signals a higher interest in politics."

    Definitely beyond any experience. Out of this world. Amazing. Biden is the greatest motivator in US history.

    "JUST SHOCKING! Joe Biden Delivers Speak on Anniversary of COVID Lockdowns – Only 7,141 Tune In to White House YouTube Page for His First Address"
    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/03/just-shocking-joe-biden-delivers-speak-anniversary-covid-lockdowns-7141-tune-white-house-youtube-page-first-address/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bryan KMarch 11, 2021 at 7:25 PM

    When religion is wielded as a weapon, it is politics.

    And when politics are treated in a dogmatic fashion, it is religion.

    ReplyDelete

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