The Dangerous Weaponization of Religion: A Threat to American Democracy

THE IDEA THAT “MY FREEDOM ENDS WHERE YOURS BEGINS” IS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT LIES AT THE HEART OF A HARMONIOUS AND JUST SOCIETY. THIS CONCEPT ENCAPSULATES THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WHILE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE THEIR FREEDOMS, THOSE FREEDOMS MUST NOT INFRINGE UPON THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF OTHERS.

Messianic Trump Syndrome: The “Shared Psychosis” of Trumpianity

by Bruce T. Gourley | Oct 18, 2023 | Feature, Opinion

Millions, dismissing Jesus’ inclusive, compassionate and peaceful life and teachings, hang on their extremist political messiah’s every word. So widespread is Trump’s messianic following that some mesmerized adherents of Trumpianity have been known to praise their savior’s divinity on billboards and in books.

There is a backstory to this madness: Much of white American Christianity—from enslaving Black people to racial apartheid to violent resistance to human rights—has long marinated in white pride and an overriding lust for power. Anti-Christ Donald Trump is the historical dark side of white American Christianity on steroids: unquenchable authoritarianism with an endless capacity to punish anyone who stands in his way of obtaining ultimate power.

Today, a seemingly endless army of white Christian extremist organizations are hard at work rallying a Trumpian army to the cause of overthrowing our democracy and implementing a theocracy with Trump as king. Having discarded Jesus of the gospels, they retain “Christian” language in service of their new savior. One of these organizations—the Family Leadership Summit, representative of the many—speaks for Trumpianity at large in falsely claiming to “embrace Christian values and a God-honoring vision for America.”

https://goodfaithmedia.org/messianic-trump-syndrome-the-shared-psychosis-of-trumpianity/

What Are Delusions of Grandeur?

Grandiose delusions (GDs), also known as delusions of grandeur or expansive delusions, are a subtype of delusion characterized by extraordinary belief that one is famous, omnipotent, wealthy, or otherwise very powerful. Grandiose delusions often have a religious, science fictional, or supernatural theme.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/delusions-of-grandeur

https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/delusions-grandeur

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321649

Psychologists have explained quite a lot about Donald Trump’s political invincibility and the unconditional allegiance of his followers. One well-supported explanation is that the president keeps his base loyal by keeping them fearful. Through persistent fear-mongering, with messages like, “Illegal immigrants are murderers and rapists,” and “Islam hates us,” Trump gets to play the role of the great protector.

But there is another important reason why Trump loyalists do not waver no matter how he behaves or what scandals come to light. For most evangelicals, it is not only fear that keeps them in line, but it is also faith. As a cognitive psychology researcher who has been writing about the science underlying Trump’s support since he began his presidential campaign, I have learned—through comments, emails, and discussion forums—that a significant portion of his supporters literally believe the president was an answer to their prayers. He is regarded as something of a messiah, sent by God to protect a Christian nation.

As obvious as this might sound to some, it is something I did not give serious consideration to initially. As someone who is not particularly religious, it did not occur to me that anyone might believe that a politician would be sent by an all-powerful supernatural deity to change the course of human history unless it was in a highly abstract or purely metaphorical sense. It is simply not built into my hardwiring to see someone that way.

That kind of thinking is precisely why dangerous cult leaders are able to rise to prominence. Nothing good can come from putting any single person on a spiritual pedestal. No one is infallible, no one is free from bias, and no one is honest all of the time, no matter how hard they may strive. This goes for Republicans, Democrats, Popes, and Dalai Lamas. Because of this fact of human nature, we must always scrutinize our leaders, and always question their decisions and motivations. What makes a good president is the ability to survive our constant scrutiny and the scrutiny of the free press. Through this process, which is critical, we can get a better sense of whether a politician is trying their best, and whether or not they generally have Americans’ best interests in mind.

I am not saying that Donald Trump does not have the bests interests of some groups of Americans in mind. I’d like to believe that he genuinely wants to make America safer from real threats, like ISIS and violent gangs (whether he has done so remains to be seen). But Trump's desire to win and amass power may be a priority above all else. He may understand that most Muslims and most immigrants are not dangerous and want to see America prosper. But he quickly found out, through trying various strategies, that fear was effective as a political tool. When he learned that, he chose to demonize innocent people and to promote false conspiracy theories like #PizzaGate, which put lives in jeopardy.

Of course, this only served to further strengthen evangelicals’ belief that he was their savior. What is ironic, but not entirely unexpected, is the fact that Trump’s behavior and positions are far more un-Christ-like than those of the average politician on either side of the aisle. The infidelities, the lack of compassion for the less fortunate, the lewd comments, the lying—these acts could be considered ungodly. But because some of his supporters believe he was an answer to their prayers, they are willing to excuse it.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/mind-in-the-machine/201905/the-belief-trump-is-messiah-is-rampant-and-dangerous

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/evil-deeds/202101/the-savior-the-devil-and-donald-trump

Trump Promotes Messiah Complex With Low IQ, Religious Voters.

This term is not addressed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is not a clinical term nor diagnosable disorder, but the symptoms of the disorder closely resemble those found in individuals suffering from delusions of grandeur or that they have grandiose self-images that veer towards the delusional.

The messiah complex is most often reported in patients suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. When a messiah complex is manifested within a religious individual after a visit to Jerusalem, it may be identified as a psychosis known as Jerusalem syndrome.

The messiah complex in such individuals can cause unimaginable consequences when combined with narcissistic and paranoid traits, often associated with Germany’s Adolf Hitler.

https://www.newamericanjournal.net/2020/08/trump-promotes-messiah-complex-with-low-iq-religious-voters/

Low IQ And Conspiracy Theories: A Hand In Glove Relationship.

The fact that lower intelligence equates with belief in conspiracy theories intuitively makes sense. The world is incredibly complex and is difficult to understand.

However, it is much easier to understand if you boil everything down to the belief that some arch-villain is orchestrating all the bad things rather than bad things being the unpredictable outcome of billions of normal people punting about the world with their own ideas, beliefs and agenda, as well as the fact that all of us are subject to natural forces that are completely beyond our control.

It is much easier to accept that the ‘government boogeyman did it’ than to try to understand several millennia of complex geo-political interactions.

https://www.adamstaten.com/blog/2021/2/7/low-iq-and-conspiracy-theories-a-hand-in-glove-relationship

Concerning the quality, Wildsmith noted that Trump's Bible isn't genuine leather, but synthetic leather without any perimeter stitching. Wildsmith noted, "It feels pretty fake and cheap to me, so that shocked me that the Bible was $75 shipped because most publishers of synthetic leather Bibles are going to be $30, $40 bucks at most."

https://meidasnews.com/news/feels-pretty-fake-and-cheap-bible-reviewers-brutal-review-of-trumps-bible

The Dangerous Weaponization of Religion: A Threat to American Democracy By Steve Siebold.

In the United States, the delicate balance between religion and politics has been a cornerstone of democracy. However, in recent years, the Republican Party's increasing tendency to weaponize religion for political gain has raised serious concerns about the integrity of democratic principles. This trend not only undermines the secular foundation of the American political system but also poses a significant threat to the very essence of democracy itself. Recent examples include overturning Roe v. Wade, and the state of Arizona reviving an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions.

Historically, religion has played a significant role in American politics, shaping moral values and guiding policy decisions. Yet, the separation of church and state, enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution, has been a crucial safeguard against the undue influence of religious beliefs on governance. However, the Republican Party's manipulation of religion as a tool to advance its political agenda blurs the lines between faith and governance, eroding the fundamental principles of democracy.

One of the most alarming manifestations of this trend is the instrumentalization of religious rhetoric to justify discriminatory policies and suppress marginalized communities. By invoking religious doctrine to support discriminatory laws targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, women's reproductive rights, and minority groups, the Republican Party not only infringes upon the rights of these populations but also undermines the principle of equality under the law. Such actions not only violate the spirit of democracy but also perpetuate social division and exclusion.

Moreover, the weaponization of religion by the Republican Party has resulted in the politicization of faith institutions, jeopardizing their autonomy and integrity. Houses of worship, traditionally regarded as sanctuaries for spiritual reflection and communal worship, are increasingly being transformed into arenas for partisan politics. Religious leaders, instead of promoting moral guidance and spiritual enlightenment, are pressured to endorse political candidates and propagate partisan agendas, thereby compromising their spiritual authority and credibility.

Furthermore, the fusion of religion and politics engenders a climate of intolerance and extremism, where dissenting voices are marginalized, and ideological conformity is enforced. By equating political allegiance with religious devotion, the Republican Party fosters a culture of ideological purity, stifling critical thinking and fostering polarization. This not only undermines the pluralistic fabric of American society but also threatens the principles of freedom of expression and diversity of thought essential to democratic governance.

The consequences of the weaponization of religion by the Republican Party extend beyond domestic politics, tarnishing America's reputation as a beacon of democracy and tolerance on the global stage. The erosion of democratic norms and the promotion of religious nationalism undermine America's credibility as a champion of human rights and democratic values, emboldening authoritarian regimes worldwide.

To safeguard democracy from the threat posed by the weaponization of religion, concerted action is needed at both the political and societal levels. Politicians must uphold the principle of secular governance, respecting the separation of church and state and refraining from exploiting religious sentiments for political gain. Additionally, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and the media have a crucial role to play in promoting pluralism, fostering interfaith dialogue, and holding political leaders accountable for their actions.

In conclusion, the weaponization of religion by the Republican Party poses a grave threat to American democracy, undermining the principles of equality, freedom, and pluralism upon which the nation was founded. To preserve the integrity of democratic governance, it is imperative to resist attempts to politicize religion and uphold the secular foundation of the American political system. Only by safeguarding the separation of church and state can America fulfill its promise as a land of liberty and justice for all.

https://chqdaily.com/2023/08/seidel-to-discuss-weaponization-of-religion-in-american-political-life/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dangerous-weaponization-religion-threat-american-steve-steve-siebold-3of7f/

John Bossange: ‘Religious freedom’ is being weaponized

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY’S FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONE’S FREEDOM STOPS WHERE ANOTHER’S FREEDOM BEGINS IS TAKING AMERICA DOWN A PAINFUL PATH OF DIVISIVENESS, INTOLERANCE AND OCCASIONAL VIOLENCE.

It seems like every day we hear a politician from the Republican Party talking about the loss of religious freedom. I have yet to feel like anyone is taking away my constitutional right to practice what I wish, where I wish, and when I wish.

In return, I have no desire to take away another’s freedom of religion to practice the same.

So why has the call for religious freedom become so popular within the Republican Party? Does the party feel as though Americans like me have lost their right to worship freely and have been denied this sacred American right, enshrined in the First Amendment of our Constitution?

https://vtdigger.org/2023/07/17/john-bossange-religious-freedom-is-being-weaponized/

2015: Wingnuts have weaponized Jesus: How the religious right hijacked Christianity

Just a few days ago, I attended a graduation in Northern Nevada. After a long sectarian prayer, the lieutenant governor of Nevada, Mark Hutchison, stood up to offer remarks, and he couldn’t help but pander to religious voters with incessant talk of his Mormon faith. This is an annoying but expected part of my life, so I ignored it -- until he went too far: “We live in a religiously based society,” he opined.

America is not at all “religiously based,” but instead is a constitutional republic based on the rule of law, and I was dismayed by his casual embrace of theocracy in our religiously diverse society. I sent Hutchison a complaint letter, which he promptly ignored. As an American and a government employee, religious coercion and insult is a casual part of my daily life, but after many years, this may finally be changing.

Yesterday, Pew released an exhaustive study of religious affiliation in America, showing a shocking growth in not only people with no religious affiliation but also a massive growth in people professing to be atheist and agnostic, now measured at 7 percent of the total population. This percentage is greater than that of Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Hutchison’s own religion of Mormonism combined. It’s was a fine coincidence to see this news just a week after listening to the self-appointed, self-righteous preacher-in-chief of my home state wax poetic about America’s religiosity.

https://www.salon.com/2015/05/13/wingnuts_have_weaponized_jesus_how_the_religious_right_hijacked_christianity/

In Bad Faith: How Conservatives Are Weaponizing “Religious Liberty” to Allow Institutions to Discriminate.

ABSTRACT / SUMMARY

HIGHLIGHTS

Social conservatives have used the specter of religious discrimination against doctors and nurses as cover for powerful institutions to claim religious and moral exemptions from providing a wide array of services.

Institutional refusals pose particularly serious dangers for society, because institutions have more power and reach than individuals, often have captive audiences or few or no competitors, and can use their power to undermine public programs and policies.

Policymakers and advocates must take steps to mitigate the scope and abuse of institutional refusals and to ensure that they are appropriately balanced against the rights and needs of individuals and society.

https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2018/05/bad-faith-how-conservatives-are-weaponizing-religious-liberty-allow-institutions

2023: Weaponization of Religion: The Manipulation of Religion in the Pursuit of Political Power in Yugoslavia and Syria

https://research.library.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1105&context=international_senior#:~:text=This%20weaponization%20of%20religion%20is,Hassner%3B%20Gorur%20and%20Gregory).