Another gift article from WAPO on the dysfunction of old magats (Jennifer Rubin oped 3/19/23)

[cilla4progress]

https://wapo.st/3Fyo6MM

Opinion Why white Christian nationalists are in such a panic

You might find it strange that a large segment of the Republican base thinks Whites are the true victims of racism and that Christians are under attack. After all, America’s biggest racial group is still Whites; the most common religious affiliation remains Christianity. Whites and Christians dominate elected office at all levels, the judiciary and corporate America. What’s the problem?

Well, there is a straightforward reason for the freak-out, and an explanation for why former president Donald Trump developed such a close bond with white Christian nationalists.

This group feels besieged because they are losing ground.

[CatWoman]

1. Trump Supporter: Biden Worships The Devil, Obviously

[gratuitous]

2. "They are losing ground"

That's a very big and salient point. In my work in my denomination and working with others in their denominations, we advocate for the full inclusion and participation of LGBTQIA+ persons in church life. That means full membership, full participation on commissions and committees, eligibility for ordination, and placement of qualified persons in congregations.

For decades, LGBTQIA+ persons and their supporters have been a minority voice in our denominations. We've patiently worked through entrenched prejudice and bigotry, been subjected to harassment (even death threats) by the majority, denied access and placements and jobs. The majority has thrown away thousands of well-qualified persons and forced them to other denominations where they find a far more hospitable and welcoming atmosphere.

But as our patience has paid off, and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ persons has grown, and the former majority has declined to a plurality. They're still numerically superior, but they no longer just automatically get their way. They've had to justify their position where before it was just the accepted norm. They're not used to that, and besides, we're very familiar with the Clobber Verses and made it plain that we don't accept their reading or interpretation of the Bible; we're pioneering new interpretations that we feel are more in line with the totality of scripture. The old majority is losing ground.

They can see it themselves. They're not unintelligent. But instead of working together with the people they've bullied for years and years, they are increasingly quitting the denominations and setting up their own new bodies. This after hearing for years about how much they love the church and their denomination. Yeah, as long as they control everything and can knuckle dissenters and vulnerable people, they're fine with things. But when they have to actually cooperate with people they despise and negotiate their position, it's time for them to walk away, complaining about how awful they're being treated and not having things handed to them as in the past.

MAGA Republicans are in the same boat, and they're handling it just as poorly as their conservative counterparts in some Christian denominations.

[usonian]

3. Lots more from this morning's thread.

https://democraticunderground.com/100217740301
It was fun.
I am both a night owl and an early bird.