Politics is the new Religion

[sexobon]

Am not, I'm sitting up.

[tw]

Originally Posted by sexobon

Am not, I'm sitting up.

Always up and moving? You must be a progressive.

Is that also a religion?

[Griff]

https://www.psypost.org/2020/07/new-...pandemic-57514


A little more surprising, we found that Americans who are more religious (attend service more often, pray more often, feel religion is more important) seemed to engage in precautionary behaviors more frequently. In fact, once we accounted for Christian nationalist ideology in our models, being more religious was the leading predictor that someone frequently engaged in precautionary behaviors.

This suggests to us that polls are getting it wrong if they show Americans who are “more religious” are behaving incautiously regarding COVID-19. It’s not “religiousness” per se that’s leading Americans to resist expert recommendations to curb the spread of disease. It’s Christian nationalist ideology and all that’s associated with it.

[glatt]

Christian nationalism was a new term to me. No idea what it meant.
From the article, "Christian nationalism by definition includes the idea that God has a special place in his heart for America, his New Israel."

So it's a patriotism, 'Merica, kind of attitude. USA, USA, USA, God bless the USA! kind of thing.

Not so much of a Christian "love your neighbor" kind of thing.

[Griff]

Yeah, it's tribal. That would explain why things we take for granted as Christian values are not represented by these folks. It must be particularly distressing for actual practicing Christians to share a pew with folks who seem to relish otherizing and hate.

It is maybe unfair to call out groups of Christians when it is a vocal minority who've lost their way.

[tw]

That tribal attitude is a threat to everyone else. Just like Jenny McCarthy types, their religion (or whatever that tribalism should be called) means they become a threat to all others.

If a vaccine is available, everyone must take it within a prescribed time; for that vaccine will be effective. Anyone using a tribal attitude (refusing vaccines due to some emotionally inspired belief) puts all others back at risk when the vaccine's protective features expire.

For the same reason Jenny McCarthy also advocated the killing of so many other children (and a few at risk adults). Her tribal like emotions also justified her contempt for others.

If we had real leaders, where necessary (not narcissists), then a discussion of how a vaccine will be 'distributed fast enough' should already be in planning.

Ironically much of this was already done and planned for in the National Security Council. The Pandemic Playbook was completed in 2018. And completely disbanded and trashed in 2018 by Trump people - using cost controls (actually a tribal mentality) as an excuse.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Why is this vaccine's protection going to expire?