Frank Schaeffer: Bad Theology and Crazy Politics (Why the Republicans Won)

[Turborama]

One reason the Republicans won on Tuesday is because many of their supporters have already given up on this world and are waiting for the next. I know, I used to be one of them.

Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series of sixteen novels (so far) represents everything that is most deranged about religion. It also is a reason and symptom of the hysteria that grips so many "conservatives" in the Republican Party. Frankly: to borrow from Jon Stewart they do believe that these are the "End Times" not just "hard times."

=snip=

Feeding the paranoid delusions of people on the fringe of the fringe contributes to a dangerous climate that may provoke violence in a few individuals. It's also one of the big reasons that the nutty fringe is now the "center." If you believe the Bible is literal and true and that this is the "End" then the crazies look sane and the sane look crazy. Welcome to the new congress.

And convincing folks that Armageddon is on the way, and all we can do is wait, pray, and protect our families from the chaos (or from the first black president) that will be the "prelude" to the "Return of Christ," is perhaps not the best recipe for political, economic, or personal stability, let alone social cohesion. Glenn Beck cashes in on this when he sells gold on TV and survivalist gear. But this End Times cult may also not be the best philosophy on which to build American foreign policy! The momentum toward what amounts to a whole subculture seceding from the union (in order to await "The End") is irrevocably prying loose a chunk of the American population from both sanity and their fellow citizens.

Enter the "new" Tea Party candidates.

Full piece: http://frank-schaeffer.blogspot.com/2010/11/bad-theology-and-crazy-politics-why.html

[Warpy]

1. I think most people with any sort of agenda is misreading this,

even Frank Schaefer who is usually right about the evangelical fringe.

This election was a result of apathy and downright disgust among Democrats especially, but also among other groups, brought on by the incessant caving to the freak right in the Senate.

One poster here got it right: the House was punished for the Senate's faults.

[Turborama]

2. It's a long article

You should have read the conclusion.

[Dappleganger]

5. In agreement with you...

Schaeffer adds an important dimension to all of these dominionist tea party candidates who've decided that they're the answer to our country's ills.

[stray cat]

4. I think you have an agenda that is limited to a view from DU democrats

[Warpy]

8. I think you should stop making pronouncements about what other people think

and go out and talk to people, finding out why they voted or didn't vote.

I already have.

[CTyankee]

12. I agree with you, Warpy, on what you say about Schaeffer's piece.

I think he puts too much emphasis on the evangelical fringe's influence.

The most telling thing about this election is how many of the Independents we lost from the 08 election. What did we have that attracted them in 08 that we suddenly didn't have in 10? I'm still trying to figure it out...

[alittlelark]

3. My mom is one of those 'end of timers'

She was ecstatic on 9-11 thinking that it had begun.

It is a very disturbing situation.

[Dappleganger]

6. What did she do?

Just curious.

[HawkerHurricane]

7. Given that Tim LaHaye is also a Bircher...

The end of the Soviet Union left these people without a enemy, they have decided that "Gog and Ma-Gog" are no longer Russia and China, but rather 'Muslims' and the Democratic Party.

[Douglas Carpenter]

9. kick and recommend!! VERY IMPORTANT!!!

[Turborama]

11. Thanks a lot, Douglas. And everyone else who's done the same.

:kick:

[HooptieWagon]

10. Great article.