Well, gosh and geez! Would I rather be shot in the forehead or the temple? LOL. Trumpers, like Jim Jordan, are generally just plain mean and hateful to their opposition and anyone who is different from them if you try to discuss politics. Religious evangelicals at least theoretically believe “love thy neighbor.” And I could argue from the Bible and maybe get at least some agreement on a point or two. So, I’m with you, Christine. Despite the trauma religiosity causes they *try* to have their hearts in the right place. (One recently told me I am demonic because I meditate—and later apologized.) So I guess I choose the temple!
Geez louise, what an answer, Chuck! 🤣 yes yes, the theoretical loving one neighbor, that we can at least point to as some kind of moral standard they ought to be holding themselves to - an attempt to appeal to their conscience. Except when it doesn't work....
Oh MY demonic?!?! I'm glad they apologized, but yikes!
LOL geez louise indeed.😆 I’d love to tell you more stories, but I know you have plenty of your own. To balance things, there are also the amazingly loving and kind things evangelicals do, like helping the elderly, Christmas gifts to needy kids, feeding and clothing the homeless. Our mutual friend’s hometown church is conservative evangelical but they do so many very loving good works that I can’t help but love them for the good they do. I just won’t talk politics, meditation, or LGBTQ if I ever visit. 😂
For me, I think each group is so deeply entrenched in their mindsets that a debate/conversation feels like a waste of precious energy most days.
Interestingly, I’m from Canada and I encounter people as passionately in Trumpism as some Americans. Many people in my circles will engage in American politics more passionately than our own. I think this is because of the American political entertainment complex that’s also pumped into Canada.
Coming from a fundamentalist religious background with many of those same people entrenched in the Trump camp (little good it does them), I try not to lump them into one monolithic group and keep an eye out for people who are still using the religious or political talking points but who show sparks of being even a little open to real conversation.
Pre-Trump, pre-COVID, I was much more aligned with their worldview than I am now, spouting many of the same things, so I know it’s possible to change when your heart and mind are ready. Those are the people I look out for. I haven’t found many yet, but I’m looking. :)
Wow, that's really interesting! (and I didn't realize you're from Canada! Love the varying perspective). Yikes, sorry you guys have to be steeped in our political dramas too... the "political entertainment complex" though, that's so true!
The point about looking out for the people who are maaaybe willing to change - yes! Maybe that's part of what draws me, too. I can understand the process of change one can take and it gives me a little hope that dialogue might be possible. I hope you find more of these folks!
Well, gosh and geez! Would I rather be shot in the forehead or the temple? LOL. Trumpers, like Jim Jordan, are generally just plain mean and hateful to their opposition and anyone who is different from them if you try to discuss politics. Religious evangelicals at least theoretically believe “love thy neighbor.” And I could argue from the Bible and maybe get at least some agreement on a point or two. So, I’m with you, Christine. Despite the trauma religiosity causes they *try* to have their hearts in the right place. (One recently told me I am demonic because I meditate—and later apologized.) So I guess I choose the temple!
Geez louise, what an answer, Chuck! 🤣 yes yes, the theoretical loving one neighbor, that we can at least point to as some kind of moral standard they ought to be holding themselves to - an attempt to appeal to their conscience. Except when it doesn't work....
Oh MY demonic?!?! I'm glad they apologized, but yikes!
LOL geez louise indeed.😆 I’d love to tell you more stories, but I know you have plenty of your own. To balance things, there are also the amazingly loving and kind things evangelicals do, like helping the elderly, Christmas gifts to needy kids, feeding and clothing the homeless. Our mutual friend’s hometown church is conservative evangelical but they do so many very loving good works that I can’t help but love them for the good they do. I just won’t talk politics, meditation, or LGBTQ if I ever visit. 😂
For me, I think each group is so deeply entrenched in their mindsets that a debate/conversation feels like a waste of precious energy most days.
Interestingly, I’m from Canada and I encounter people as passionately in Trumpism as some Americans. Many people in my circles will engage in American politics more passionately than our own. I think this is because of the American political entertainment complex that’s also pumped into Canada.
Coming from a fundamentalist religious background with many of those same people entrenched in the Trump camp (little good it does them), I try not to lump them into one monolithic group and keep an eye out for people who are still using the religious or political talking points but who show sparks of being even a little open to real conversation.
Pre-Trump, pre-COVID, I was much more aligned with their worldview than I am now, spouting many of the same things, so I know it’s possible to change when your heart and mind are ready. Those are the people I look out for. I haven’t found many yet, but I’m looking. :)
Wow, that's really interesting! (and I didn't realize you're from Canada! Love the varying perspective). Yikes, sorry you guys have to be steeped in our political dramas too... the "political entertainment complex" though, that's so true!
The point about looking out for the people who are maaaybe willing to change - yes! Maybe that's part of what draws me, too. I can understand the process of change one can take and it gives me a little hope that dialogue might be possible. I hope you find more of these folks!
No! :-)
hahahaha NOT A CHOICE RICK