One of the General Rants dealt with the US becoming a theocracy. Several years ago, I suggested that the US northeast and west coast, join Canada, so the rump US can wallow in superstition and bigotry. Everyone would be a lot happier.
Economic content: with few exceptions, fanatical theocracies tend to not be very prosperous or creative.
Fearless prediction, as with the Congressionally passed laws in the 50s that are blatant violations of the establishment clause, the SCOTUS will find an excuse to refuse to rule on the coming wave of cases. iirc Justice Thomas has held for a long time that the establishment clause has never been incorporated, which would leave states free to dictate religion.
The Mormons, Southern Baptists, most Evangelicals are following the so-called âmainstream denominationsâ into big declines. I call it the âGreat Awakeningâ and think of it as a profound spiritual development.
What is replacing them is puzzlement, agnosticism (especially with those under 30) and crazed idolatrous Christian Nationalism.
The Christian Nationalists are building on ideological, organizaational, and especially wealthy foundations laid long ago,
Which red state will be the first to be mandatory Muslim? Then, what will the Christians do about it?
Should the OK school superintendent be held liable by religious courts for NOT supporting each religion, and thus face a possible life-long cost of needing personal security for himself AND his family?
The after-chatter on one network reported âsome folksâ are already calling for a replacement. That first 10 minutes was grim. We old phartz remember when LBJ said he had decided not to run again, but that was earlier in the season.
Which makes them more aggressive. I remember, several years ago, when the national network ânewsâ breathlessly reported, in quick succession, that Protestants and white people, are both on trend to be less than 50% of the population. That is the sort of ânewsâ that would bring the nutters out, to maintain the status quo, regardless of cost.
As Pope Benedict said, âthere is only one churchâ, followed by some denigration of all other Christian factions, and everyone else. I am sure the OK Superintendent is aligned with the loudest faction in the state. Utah is supposedly considering similar moves. That will be interesting as fundy Christians are not crazy about Mormons. Having Utah mandate Mormon indoctrination for every kid in the state may get the fundyâs riled up. According to Wiki, Utah is 55% LDS, 13% Protestant, 5% Catholic, and 22% none.
There are three fountains of power, force, money, and religion.
The fact that religion has tax advantages is proof enough that while the US is not a theocracy it sure is theocratically inclined. That, in itself, is not a problem, the problem arises when religion becomes monolithic, dogmatic, and mandatory.
Driving around Los Angeles sightseeing with my mother I commented, âThe two most common establishments we see are banks and churches. Religion must be good business.â
The term âatheismâ is most unfortunate. Gods, the god meme, have existed from time immemorial and to have survived they must have some saving grace. I donât think the god meme is the problem. Itâs the capture of the meme to be used as a bludgeon that is the problem.
There were four General Rants. #37 was about wealth transfer, from the Proles to the âJCsâ. The other three dealt with theocracy, police state, and government sponsored terrorism.
As offered before, that is what organized religion does.