General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Republican support and the role of declining church attendance [View all]GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)I grew up evangelical. The Moral Majority joined the Republican Party with Reagan. Back then it was really about integration of African Americans. And even as an 18 year old republican I was uncomfortable with the mix even though I was still leaving the Baptist realm.
And slowly we saw their influence on that party grow until today they are indistinguishable. Why?
Because no matter what they do society keeps changing. And they really want to stop it but dont realize there is no stopping it. Some of their sons and daughters will come out as gay, their daughters will not be virgins when they marry and the husband wont care and many stop going to church. So rather than realizing times are changing they double down on the attempt to return America to a homogeneous society where their beliefs are the norm. Not the exception. To the point they are willing to abandon democracy. Because their belief in god trumps democracy.
My family is the perfect example. My sister and I both grew up going to church 3 times a week. Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. But my dad insisted we both get a good education. Dad died 30 years ago. But while we have a good relationship with our mother I know she despairs about our souls. While we both white lie to our mother about our faith, neither of us are real Christians as Mother understands them. My sister is what I call a spiritual person who believes whatever. I have a science education so I define myself as a deist in the Jefferson model. Neither of us go to church short of a wedding or funeral.
And Mother? Ive watched a Democratic voter turn into a voter who votes for the most conservative candidate she can get. Not because she gives a shit about economic policies or welfare. But she desperately wants someone who will make America more like it was when she was a kid.
That sums up the Republican Party today. They stand for nothing but social regression.