There was a time when fundamentalists took a stand for truth, without regard for wielding power.
Now it seems they continue to grasp for power without regard for truth.
We have a crisis of evidence revealing a quest for power.
The continuing lawsuits by Trump to discredit the Nov. 3rd election, the continued support among far right supporters, many of them self-described conservative Christians — although the truer designation is “fundamentalist” — all without the support of factual evidence beyond hearsay, reveals this crisis and this quest.
When Trump was being investigated and then impeached, conservatives were quick to point out there was no proof, no evidence. In that case, with Trump to defend, no evidence meant he was innocent.
But now, with no evidence in sight of election fraud, conservatives (especial Christians) are claiming a cover up.
It can’t be both ways. Either lack of evidence means lack of a crime. Or lack of evidence means a cover up.
But you can’t just claim lack of evidence against your side (Trump), and a cover up when it concerns the other side (the Liberals).
This just means conservative (Christians) are less interested in truth.
And more interested in power.
The Larger Issue: Return of Folk Religion
In abandoning truth and seeking power, Christian fundamentalism is reverting to a “folk religion.”
“Formal Religion” is composed of orthodox beliefs, codified in doctrines, has an established religious order and institution, and most importantly, they focus on the truth of fundamental reality — its origin, purpose, and ultimate destiny.
“Folk Religion” is composed of ad hoc practices and beliefs that are mashed together too effective manage daily life. In other words, “fold religion” centers on the pragmatic power for creating the best life possible, and to protect against tragedy and loss.
The main distinction is between TRUTH (formal) and POWER (folk).
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to villianize “folk religion.” We need an integration between the two — between truth and power. And Christianity always offered this integration, at its best.
But in the West, Christianity has slowly dissolved this integration (on the conservative and progressive side), and we are again seeing the effects of grasping after power rather than holding on to truth — something Jesus didn’t do.
Over the coming weeks I’ll be exploring how thinking about religion (and politics) through the lens of “folk religion” reveals the perils and promise of following Jesus in the West.
And I would love conversation partners as we go.
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Feel like just giving up on Christianity? Or at least the conservative American version. But not sure progressive Christianity is any better?
Check out this FREE Grassroots Christianity Manifesto where I try and do a little work toward this “radical middle” way.