Coming out of white evangelicalism I have to say it absolutely primes people for fascism--even from birth (I am re-reading all the parenting books . . . many of whom were written by extremely right wing men with the hopes of teaching parents to create good little authoritarians). I hope to help combat christian fascism by 1). supporting workers/strikes/unions and also 2). teaching myself and others to self-regulate our emotions so we won't be at the mercy of dread/anxiety/fear that is stoked by companies, religions, and corporations. I'm breaking generational cycles and a lot of it stems from learning to care for my own nervous system so that it isn't hijacked by outside sources. I'm so grateful for your work and writing on this subject!
I offer a non-evangelical Christian perspective as well. "The glorification of the past prevents us from recognizing the truth of the present, leading us to fear the future instead of embracing it with hope. The Christian, particularly, should be recognized by two things: love and hope. A radical gospel-transformational love (John 13:33-34; Acts 2:42-47) and an eternal hope in Jesus because He reigns on the throne right now and will advance His kingdom. Our hope is not in corporations nor politicians but in Christ who reigns supreme." Read more here... https://open.substack.com/pub/kingandcompany/p/diving-into-rich-men-north-of-richmond?r=1b6rbo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks for this encouragement! I have a viral reel on IG regarding the climate crisis and I've been trying to respond to the ones that can be swayed. I've been getting a lot of comments that fighting climate change is lining the billionaires' pockets or that it's an excuse to block out the sun.. Is that really what's being used on the right? Anyways, I try to tell them we're on the same page but it's capitalism that's the problem. We aren't advocating to consume green products as a straight alternative but rather to enact a fossil fuel non proliferation treaty and green up spaces, house and feed our population, etc. There are so many other ways to fight the climate crisis!
Excellent post! We need to avoid defeatist attitudes and keep encouraging each other to do what we can to improve the world. I recently wrote about The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas which was a very uplifting book about building relationships and changing minds. https://bathruminations.substack.com/p/review-of-the-persuaders-by-anand The easy thing would be to shut people down for saying racist things, but if we're serious about improving the world, we need to engage even when it's hard. I particularly like the idea of deep canvassing described in the book and I'm hoping to use it more moving forward. To solidify the support of people who agree with me, and to leave people who disagree with something to think about. Like you said, everyone has to decide who is worth engaging and who isn't. I believe more of these conversations need to happen in person. Social media platforms are not the best place for difficult conversations.
It's easy to get discouraged because most people don't like to admit when they are wrong and have changed their minds, but if we don't believe people can do and be better, we can't have hope for the future and that's no path forward.
It's true, we must show that alternatives are possible, that we can live differently, that we don't need to cling to this world. The struggle is real. And it's encouraging when folks are so earnest and forthright and like you are in this piece. I come back to a passage of scripture, even tho I've left god and the church far behind: "they will know you by your love." May it be true of us.
awesome article. as a way-up-north born liberal living in the south past 30+ yrs, OA’s song spoke to me in that we are all tired of grinding away every day while our oligarchy govt laughs at how easily we are distracted and divided. I’m not going to dismiss the entire song (or his other songs which are legit), over one line (the welfare one). Because I think that’s where liberals fall into the same dismissive trap we accuse the right of doing. And i’ve used his song to point out to my right leaning friends like “hey, i am in the same boat dude...and here’s where the causes and solutions lie...hear me out and I promise to hear you out”
I think trying to guide those that have had their understandable angst misguided to a bigoted mindset is one thing, and allinging with people who were already bigoted and found justification of their fucked up beliefs in that music and prolly don't care the man is the real enemy, and out of bigotry they will dick ride the system that is laughing at them while fostering their loyalty... Those people can fuck off, and their is no need to try and show them who the actual enemy is.
Coming out of white evangelicalism I have to say it absolutely primes people for fascism--even from birth (I am re-reading all the parenting books . . . many of whom were written by extremely right wing men with the hopes of teaching parents to create good little authoritarians). I hope to help combat christian fascism by 1). supporting workers/strikes/unions and also 2). teaching myself and others to self-regulate our emotions so we won't be at the mercy of dread/anxiety/fear that is stoked by companies, religions, and corporations. I'm breaking generational cycles and a lot of it stems from learning to care for my own nervous system so that it isn't hijacked by outside sources. I'm so grateful for your work and writing on this subject!
I offer a non-evangelical Christian perspective as well. "The glorification of the past prevents us from recognizing the truth of the present, leading us to fear the future instead of embracing it with hope. The Christian, particularly, should be recognized by two things: love and hope. A radical gospel-transformational love (John 13:33-34; Acts 2:42-47) and an eternal hope in Jesus because He reigns on the throne right now and will advance His kingdom. Our hope is not in corporations nor politicians but in Christ who reigns supreme." Read more here... https://open.substack.com/pub/kingandcompany/p/diving-into-rich-men-north-of-richmond?r=1b6rbo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks for this encouragement! I have a viral reel on IG regarding the climate crisis and I've been trying to respond to the ones that can be swayed. I've been getting a lot of comments that fighting climate change is lining the billionaires' pockets or that it's an excuse to block out the sun.. Is that really what's being used on the right? Anyways, I try to tell them we're on the same page but it's capitalism that's the problem. We aren't advocating to consume green products as a straight alternative but rather to enact a fossil fuel non proliferation treaty and green up spaces, house and feed our population, etc. There are so many other ways to fight the climate crisis!
This thoughtful article made me think of this thing I wrote a few years ago:
https://alexwhite.org/2019/12/are-unions-the-cure-to-the-rise-of-right-wing-political-ideology/
The first candidate I campaigned for was a populist.
Excellent post! We need to avoid defeatist attitudes and keep encouraging each other to do what we can to improve the world. I recently wrote about The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas which was a very uplifting book about building relationships and changing minds. https://bathruminations.substack.com/p/review-of-the-persuaders-by-anand The easy thing would be to shut people down for saying racist things, but if we're serious about improving the world, we need to engage even when it's hard. I particularly like the idea of deep canvassing described in the book and I'm hoping to use it more moving forward. To solidify the support of people who agree with me, and to leave people who disagree with something to think about. Like you said, everyone has to decide who is worth engaging and who isn't. I believe more of these conversations need to happen in person. Social media platforms are not the best place for difficult conversations.
It's easy to get discouraged because most people don't like to admit when they are wrong and have changed their minds, but if we don't believe people can do and be better, we can't have hope for the future and that's no path forward.
It's true, we must show that alternatives are possible, that we can live differently, that we don't need to cling to this world. The struggle is real. And it's encouraging when folks are so earnest and forthright and like you are in this piece. I come back to a passage of scripture, even tho I've left god and the church far behind: "they will know you by your love." May it be true of us.
awesome article. as a way-up-north born liberal living in the south past 30+ yrs, OA’s song spoke to me in that we are all tired of grinding away every day while our oligarchy govt laughs at how easily we are distracted and divided. I’m not going to dismiss the entire song (or his other songs which are legit), over one line (the welfare one). Because I think that’s where liberals fall into the same dismissive trap we accuse the right of doing. And i’ve used his song to point out to my right leaning friends like “hey, i am in the same boat dude...and here’s where the causes and solutions lie...hear me out and I promise to hear you out”
I think trying to guide those that have had their understandable angst misguided to a bigoted mindset is one thing, and allinging with people who were already bigoted and found justification of their fucked up beliefs in that music and prolly don't care the man is the real enemy, and out of bigotry they will dick ride the system that is laughing at them while fostering their loyalty... Those people can fuck off, and their is no need to try and show them who the actual enemy is.
Thank you!!