As White Religious Right Declines, Trump is Their Life Raft


If you were at a dinner party and all the guests were of the religious right, and someone asked you, "Why are you supporting Trump," the socially correct answer would be, "He's against abortion." You cannot say what might be the reason, you hate the brown people coming across the borders. White religious people once controlled this country, now that is slipping away. That's what Trump is about.

Smaller denominations means smaller public relations and lobbying in DC. These, in turn, spell less influence. Perhaps it means smaller amounts from right wing donors like Forced Birth individuals and groups. Certainly it means fewer people in the pews listening to preachers endorsing Republicans. In general, it has to mean Christianity has less influence.

When a politician shows up who says, "I will return you to the power you once had," the appeal is not surprising. Pundits everyday ask, "Why are so many supporting Trump?" The answer is the desire to stop change and regain control. 

In 1966 Time Magazine had the screaming cover, "IS GOD DEAD?" The timing of that headline happened to be around the pinacol of Christian growth and influence. Numbers had been growing world wide but then began declining and have been doing so ever since. I suppose it's safe to say the faith has been looking for a life raft ever since. Many prominent speakers and politicians have come and gone and none of them altered to path of history. 

I don't know if there are Trump supporters who actually believe Trump can or will even try to reverse the faith's declining influence. They may be supporting him out of dislike for his opponents. The odds of him being successful in reversing the decline of Christian numbers and influence surely is close to zero. So are the odds he has any interest in doing this or will even try. 

Trump and the circle of voters who support him seem to me a parking lot for grievances. Sure, we liberals are complainers too. Atheists have never had influence too we have nothing to lose. What we do is watch and be entertained by the Trump life raft that might restore influence to drowning Christians but remains just out of reach.  

Comments

  1. Ardy BJanuary 31, 2024 at 4:18 AM

    The waning of white Christian privilege in America must be terribly disorienting for some. Why else would so many cling to a messiah with a spray tan and bad feet?

    ReplyDelete
  2. JonJanuary 31, 2024 at 6:58 AM

    Ardy B "..a spray tan and bad feet?"

    I'm amused when I read the word "discernment" on Christian sites, i.e., stroking one's beard, looking thoughtful and announcing, "after considerable discernment I can see the God means this...." Do such people use "discernment" when picking the person who will have a finger of the nuclear button? Is it wise to choose a person who owes $83 million for slander, will be banned from New York State and claims not to have lost an election? I'll answer my own question, using my own discernment, NO. Thanks for the comment.

    ReplyDelete

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