Satanic Panic in the Attic

After the results of the recent elections, it seems to me that Barack Obama stands to lose a reelection in 2012. Republicans winning the House alone isn't the end of the world, but the way in which this aligned with polls leading up to it shows a trend that will probably lead to handing everything back over to them. Not that there hasn't been some messaging regarding the administration's accomplishments, like the informative but profane http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/. It seems that overall, though, people are unaware of what healthcare reform does and are impatient with the slow-but-sure improvement in the economy.

In a recent virtual exchange between myself and the ubiquitous "insufferable right-wing brother-in-law," a friend bluntly put forth that Republicans are evil. I backed it up a bit to say that it is a selfish philosophy, to which IRWBIL gleefully agreed. What I left off is that, according to my Christianity, selfishness is evil, which means that conservatism is anti-Christian.

To the question of why so many Christians are snookered by it, though, I am at a loss, despite having read a few books on the topic (What's the Matter with Kansas?, American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America). One guess is that these public figures speak in a kind of code that resonates.

I've never been much for Christianese. On a recent This Week, host Christiane Amanpour asked Republican Representative Mike Pence whether he would run for Indiana governor, to which he replied, "I'm going to pray about it." He said it twice to make sure his audience heard him. He will probably win, as current governor Mitch Daniels will likely run for president. Likewise, the Christian right takes very seriously Sarah Palin when she speaks of God annointing her run for the vice presidency. I can't doubt that quite a few votes will go her way if she runs for president.

One point that struck me when I read Chris Hedges' aforementioned book is that Christians often only think in black and white. This means there is no better or worse. If a Christian doesn't believe that divorce should occur, then he/she will not allow that it might be preferable to remaining in an abusive relationship. If a Christian doesn't believe that homosexuality is moral, then he/she will not allow that a monogamous relationship through marriage is preferable. And if a Christian does not believe that sex should occur outside of marriage, then he/she will not allow that the use of contraception to prevent pregnancy is preferable.

Candidates win elections on these issues. My brother proudly waved a "voters' guide" that was distributed at his home church. When I said that the church should begin to pay taxes if it started to become involved in politics, he said, "You wouldn't want to know whether a candidate supports transgendered people using women's restrooms?" I asked him to read it again, barely stifling my laughter. Obviously it was intended to be a guided question--"No, I would not want transgendered people sharing the restroom with my mother or daughter." I didn't have this response, though. I merely was certain that I hadn't heard any politician campaigning on this platform and wondered why anyone would think it was such a pressing issue that it should drive him/her to the polls. It seems that it did, though. That and taxes, but that's another post.

Comments

Beyond the Rubicon: A faith's look at Art and Culture said…
Great article!- Great because you are asking the most on target questions and raising the awareness of what is pressing in these matters! I believe many Christians within Evangelicalism are "Conservative", because fortunately or unfortunately, their leadership teaches them, using Scripture as a justification, that that agenda which right-wing, conservative Republicanism is pushing is Biblical. And many within this group, unconditionally trust these "shepherds". Ironically, very much like sheep. In regard to Sarah Palin, how anyone can believe that she is a Christlike role model smacks of ignorance: ignorance of what the Scriptures and Gospels do teach, and ignorance of Church history.
November 21, 2010 at 4:43 PM
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