General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: When did so many (not all) "christians" become hateful psychopaths? [View all]malthaussen
(18,415 posts)However, I'm assuming you're referring to a more recent phenomenon.
What you are witnessing in the Christian church is broadly similar to what is happening in the Republican Party, and is a direct outgrowth of their unholy alliance in the 1970's that brought us Reagan and the start to the downward spiral our country has taken. Broadly speaking, the authoritarians have grabbed firm control and are driving away everyone who does not conform to their desires. Those remaining within the fold become increasingly more shrill, entrenched, and immoveable, and as the moderate voices are expelled, increasingly extreme and fanatical.
That's my take on it, anyway. As to what enabled the authoritarians to take such a firm grip, I'd guess it has something to do with a growing fear of becoming irrelevant. We have been going through a reactionary period much longer than the period of revolution which preceded it, possibly because the revolution (revolutions, actually) kicked over so many applecarts at once.
-- Mal