I finally got an answer to a question I've had since 2016.

[LAS14]

I've been mystified at the degree to which right wing Christians have flocked to Donald Trump. I couldn't accept the notion that they are all unthinking hypocrites, or a lot of other explanations. Here's one that makes lots of sense. To summarize: They support Trump because he is the enemy of their enemy, the American left. They don't support Trump's style. They don't care if he's a Christian. They don't think he is. But they think he will defeat the forces in society which have treated them with contempt and condescension for decades. If this interests you, read this article from the Atlantic.

Let me know what you think if this is a topic of interest.

tia
las

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/evangelical-christians-face-deepening-crisis/593353/

[silentEcho]

1. Not very Christian of them, in many ways.

[Girard442]

2. They don't believe anything they profess to.

Not, at least, in the way a functioning adult would.

Except Hell. The part where anyone who pisses them off is condemned to eternal torment. That, they believe.

[LAS14]

6. I don't think you're correct. Do you know any right wing Christians? nt

[Girard442]

8. I grew up around Fundamentalists/Evangelicals.

I was actually shocked when they went en masse for Trump. I've come to realize that they use their "closely held beliefs" as a club against others (think Bill Clinton) but they don't believe them in any pragmatic sense.

[riversedge]

3. So, they make themselves out to be martyrs!!!!1

.......... But they think he will defeat the forces in society which have treated them with contempt and condescension for decades. .....................

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. If Trump is "God's man" I have to ask WHY?

Of all the people in the country, why would God, in his infinite wisdom, choose such an un-Christian man? I just don't get it.

[catrose]

10. You'd think God would choose a godly person to do his will, right?

[Baltimike]

5. This is why FACTS don't MATTER to them...spite does. nt

[kairos12]

7. Always a historical reminder that the British actually won

the Revolutionary War by, 180 years previous, unloading all their religious crazies on us. That legacy continues.

[keithbvadu2]

9. Political Christians rather than Christians of faith.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. They want to force their own primitive superstitions

on everyone else. Rejecting that is NOT treating them with contempt and condescension. Unfortunately, they can't tell the difference between pushing back ideas that someone does not agree with and being contemptuous and condescending. They are utterly intolerant of those who don't fall for their simplistic ideas and brainwashing.

And it really is pathetic that they'd support a man who is totally the opposite of what they claim to believe in because of their own misguided ignorance.

[Midnight Writer]

12. Fundamentalists are authoritarian personalities. They want authoritarian God and authoritarian Prez

The authoritarian personality is formed before most people have memories, as infants. From their perspective, it is perfectly rational.


The GOP recognizes this personality imprint that affects about 40% of Americans and exploits it. And now, with the data mining possible thanks to our internet footprints, they can hone in on those imprinted personalities with precise accuracy.


It is not about policy or competency to them. It is instinctual attraction to a strongman leader.