I have a cousin who is a fundamentalist Christian and her comments on the latest mass shooting...

[elfin]

15. For some reason "Christians" like to feel they are under siege

Victimhood energizing them to evangelize, organize voting, push $ at charlatans and bemoan their status. All the while now virtually in control of the most powerful nation on earth, but still raising havoc with "pro life" etc.

See it in some of my neighbors, who are very nice, but deluded. They seem to NEED feeling threatened for some reason. And run in denial to their "faith." It serves them well - and also serves the truly evil ones who take their money to line their pockets.

They struggle to explain the world's ills and ignore any reality-based explanation by using any scrap of scripture that can be stretched to the limits to rationalize their religious view.

Their preachers lead the way and their pocketbooks reward the preachers and hypocritical politicians.

Victimhood is a very useful organizing and money raising tool for them.

They will not change. It is that important to their identity, once they have been hooked.

Best to nod and say "While I do not agree, It seems many agree with you."

They usually gaze at me with a sad smile and tell me that they will pray for me. I smile in return and give them a hug.

They know I am a lost cause, but still seem to like me nevertheless. I know they may eventually have a crisis of faith, but still like them.