Most Americans — in the movies they watch, the TV shows they view, the radio they hear, the abortions they receive, the sexual practices they choose, and the fashion and entertainment they enjoy — do not feel they are straight-jacketed by a Christian fundamentalist society. And yet we are told that the new jihadists are not Islamists, but our own Christians who are implementing a continental-wide red-state Jesusland.
There are a lot of scared people living in the states that showed up blue on the election exit-poll maps. Maybe they want to be scared?
Thanks to Dad for tipping me off to this one.
Copycat.
ReplyDeleteYou should put Haloscan commenting on this. It's much nicer, especially for those not on blogger.
And maybe the people in red states want to be scared. I've mentioned this before on my blog.
Oooh - gays getting married, how frightening. It's the slippery slope. And cussing on TV and TERRORISM.
In general, as a country, we have little idea about fear. Many of those who voted Republican seem to have this view of the world that makes them victims (despite their generally middle-class status). They generally embraced without question the portrait of terrorism fed to them by the government (aided and abetted by the ever-unquestioning news media).
I think many Democrats do not feel that there is a divide in this country anyway. Most of this country considers itself religious, and near half the voters in this country voted for John Kerry. I think what scares Dems is this particular government and their world view (which involves using religion as a persuader, or a sledge-hammer). Some are even offended that the government (both Dems and Republicans) keeps citing religion.
There are very specific civil rights and right to privacy issues that Dems are concerned about. These are sometimes couched in language of religion but, especially from what I've seen in this government, that is just a blind and doesn't reach the heart of the issue.
There is a good article on the Left Behind series of books in Harper's magazine. It deals with that sense of victimization and religion (the meek shall inherit, etc.). I don't know if it's available online or not. Check out my blog a bit more. I know I've written on this subject before.
Sorry for the long post.
Upon reading my previous comment, I realized that it was a bit general. My thoughts on this really are more, dare I say it, nuanced than evident in that last post.
ReplyDeleteJust saying that so you don't jump all over the obvious generalizations and broad-brushed thoughts.