These are scary times for a lot of us. A not-insignificant segment of American Christians are positioned to impose their beliefs on all of us. In many states they already are. Extreme restrictions on abortion are already happening. Anti-transgender legislation as well. Bodily autonomy and the right to privacy are already being eroded in several states. If Roe is overturned it's going to get worse.
I know quite well that not all American Christians believe the things that some very conservative evangelical Christians do. I recently took part in a protest march in Sedona. Hundreds of people were there. Odds are that very many were Christians. If only because Christianity is the predominant religion in this country. We were cheered by very many people who drove past; odds are, if they were of any particular faith, many also were Christians. Same goes for the speakers at the rally.
A look at polls and statistics shows that the majority of Americans oppose overturning Roe v Wade. Other polls, of American Christians in particular, show similar results. For the most part, we're in agreement about this.
Those I sometimes refer to as Christianists or Talibangelicals aren't going away. They're not going to stop trying. They are relentless, as only people who are utterly convinced of the righteousness of their cause can be. People who truly believe that their God is on their side. Deus Vult and all that.
When religious extremists seize power, it's a bad thing for everyone. Including the members of their own faith who are not extremists. And are therefore subject to oppression. (Thinking of Afghanistan here) It's a scary idea to say the least. I doubt if anyone thinks that the Talibangelicals can be counted on to give a free pass to non-Talibangelicals just for being Christians. I imagine non-Christianist Christians are well aware of that. There is no valid reason to disbelieve those who tell us that they're doing all they can to counter the extremists.
Far right extremist Christians are not representative of all Christians. From what I've seen they're almost a whole different religion. Are they appalling? Scary? Something to resist tooth and nail? Hell yes. Does that mean that the entire Christian community is as well? Hell no. They simply aren't. To claim or imply otherwise is unjust.
Side note- I've been out of the broom closet for many years. I'm well acquainted with how it feels to have people make unfounded and sometimes ugly assumptions about you based on your spiritual beliefs. It sucks.
Anyway...
When extremists of any kind do their thing, or even just signal that they want to, those who are targeted are angry, frightened, and understandably want to fight back. Sometimes that fear and rage ends up directed at their own neighbors. People who are just as afraid. Just as angry. Possibly just as traumatized. (remembering the aftermath of 9/11 here) When we ought to come together united in a common concern, we turn on each other. We weaken ourselves from within. Creating division and resentment where there is no need, no good reason to. We insult and hurt many who ought to be cherished as our allies. We alienate each other.
And that just might be the greatest tragedy of all.
It's a mistake to label all of any religion as being, well, anything. Painting with so broad a brush is foolish and inaccurate at the very least. Even the most enormous group is still made up of individuals. Racism, sexism, bigotry and small-minded, even violent extremism can be found almost everywhere. (Gods know that the pagan community is not exempt). I have my own reasons for having a strong dislike of the religious far right in this country. And I have no problem with saying exactly what I think of them. I say similar things about the TERFs and neo-Nazis to be found in the pagan community. But being needlessly insulting to an entire religion, and by extension every one of it's members, is stupid. It's self-defeating. It's pointless. We're all entitled to our opinions. But when those opinions are weaponized in a shouting match with people who are in fact on our side, it's time to take a deep breath and step back. And stop beating up on each other. If someone is reading your words here, chances are they're on our side.
Being opinionated and quarrelsome is so ubiquitous it's practically part of our culture, our national character. Maybe it always has been. But, damn. Let's try and remember who we're talking to. When we can lift each other up, respect and defend each other's rights and lives, recognizing that our diversity is our greatest strength, we stand a better chance of saving our democracy.
TLDR: We're all on the same side. Maybe we can act like it.
Thank you for reading. This is an open thread. All topics are welcome.