I like this article, but I gotta say I think the emphasis on "White" conservative Christians is too narrow, thereby ignoring the very real threat that conservative Christians of all races (not to mention social conservatives of all faiths as well, especially Muslims) pose to America as a liberal representative democracy. Guess what? Demographics are not destiny and the WEPs and WCCs are going to be supplemented by a growing number of conservative Hispanics (and others) in the future. Little discussed in the pundit world is the growing number of Hispanics who are leaving traditional-- yet passive-- Catholicism behind, and embracing a more aggressive evangelical (or Pentecostal) religion that seeks to impose its reactionary views on society. It's not just white conservative Christians any more-- they're getting reinforcements as we speak.
Great piece. In a related vein, I've come to believe that Biden may be better at helping Americans understand the profound -- even radical -- nature of the Constitution than Obama ever was, despite Obama's being an actual Constitutional scholar. The single most profound thing Biden has said, throughout his campaign, is this: "That's what the Presidency is. The duty to care." That's as close to a religious statement *about politics* as most Democrats (especially White Democrats) ever come. If Biden can help people understand the true -- original! -- purpose of the Presidency, with its obligation to "take care that the laws of the United States be faithfully executed," he will connect with many (though not all) religious Americans and help people appreciate that a healthy democracy, with a healthy Presidency, can be spiritually potent.
And yet, millions chose an amoral monster in Trump over a devout white Christian in Biden. The 21st century held such promise and we have instead descended into medieval times. The more I struggle to understand this country, the less I feel any certainty about any assumptions I once held.
I like this article, but I gotta say I think the emphasis on "White" conservative Christians is too narrow, thereby ignoring the very real threat that conservative Christians of all races (not to mention social conservatives of all faiths as well, especially Muslims) pose to America as a liberal representative democracy. Guess what? Demographics are not destiny and the WEPs and WCCs are going to be supplemented by a growing number of conservative Hispanics (and others) in the future. Little discussed in the pundit world is the growing number of Hispanics who are leaving traditional-- yet passive-- Catholicism behind, and embracing a more aggressive evangelical (or Pentecostal) religion that seeks to impose its reactionary views on society. It's not just white conservative Christians any more-- they're getting reinforcements as we speak.
Great piece. In a related vein, I've come to believe that Biden may be better at helping Americans understand the profound -- even radical -- nature of the Constitution than Obama ever was, despite Obama's being an actual Constitutional scholar. The single most profound thing Biden has said, throughout his campaign, is this: "That's what the Presidency is. The duty to care." That's as close to a religious statement *about politics* as most Democrats (especially White Democrats) ever come. If Biden can help people understand the true -- original! -- purpose of the Presidency, with its obligation to "take care that the laws of the United States be faithfully executed," he will connect with many (though not all) religious Americans and help people appreciate that a healthy democracy, with a healthy Presidency, can be spiritually potent.
And yet, millions chose an amoral monster in Trump over a devout white Christian in Biden. The 21st century held such promise and we have instead descended into medieval times. The more I struggle to understand this country, the less I feel any certainty about any assumptions I once held.