Why do Republicans win elections? [View all]

[Mariana]

In particular, why do certain religious Republicans, those who wish to use the power of the government to oppress women, LGBT people, non-Christians, immigrants, the poor, etc. etc. etc. win elections?

Recently, some posters in the Religion Group have tried to blame outspoken atheists for these election results. There seem to be a couple of different reasons given for this idea. One is that the existence of outspoken atheists causes religious voters to fear that their First Amendment rights will be taken from them, and their religion made illegal. so they vote for religious Republican candidates in self-defense. The other is that a large percentage of religious voters are so stupid, hateful, petty, and vindictive that they'll vote against good Democratic candidates because their little fee-fees got hurt by some atheist Democrat on an internet message board who made fun of their beliefs.

I think religious voters who vote for candidates like Trump do so because they expect those candidates to promote their particular religious ideas, and to make them into law. it is neither fear of atheists, nor revenge against them, but simply the desire for worldly power that motivates them.