Where, oh, where have we gone and what have we become? This could easily be the response to a basic question about the current condition of our country. It is as if we have stepped into a different world that we do not recognize. With all that is going on, both internationally and nationally, is it any wonder that mental health crises are on the rise at the same time mental services are either in decline or non-existent? Is it any wonder that crime seems to on the increase and mass shootings have become the norm due to an absence of morality and lawfulness being passed on by the institutions that comprise the fabric of society? Those institutions include the home, the schools, the places of worship and the government. Is it any wonder that differences are settled with firearms rather than dialogue and debate? Is it any wonder that the truth gets buried in lies when a former president makes no apology for continuing to lie about anything with which he does not agree? Indeed, there are many examples that could be given to paint a different landscape than would have been painted in the past. This is not to suggest that utopia existed in the past, it simply suggests that differences and disagreements, truthfulness, and untruthfulness, and fairness and unfairness were managed less violently. It suggests a difference in degree and magnitude, not a difference in kind or similarity. Throughout the history of this country there has always been some type of violent behavior directed toward some group beginning with the Native Americans. The lynchings of African Americans and the concentration of the Japanese are but a couple of examples of this unacceptable and contemptuous societal behavior. The Internet has offered a platform for any individual or group of individuals to promote lies, conspiracies, rumors, etc. and this becomes impossible to control. It is the movement toward cult-like behavior that, on the one hand is perplexing, and on the other quite scary.
It is most interesting that embodied in the Ten Commandments, there are admonitions for humankind to maintain some semblance of an orderly, organized, and productive society. Note that the very first two commandments provide a backdrop for some of my comments that will follow. The first commandment: “You should have no other Gods before me” addresses the unitary place that God should have in one’s life. The second commandment: “Thou shall not make unto thee any graven images,” similarly, speaks to the oneness of God and no one, no movement, no system, nothing should compromise the message. Included in another passage of the Bible, is the stated belief, God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning, and the End. Far be it for me to attempt to invoke the teachings of any religious set of beliefs; however, to include what I have points to serious concerns for where we are today as a nation, a society, a leader of people and countries. Further, it attempts to bring into focus concerns specific to the Evangelical community and where their allegiance lies.
While it is difficult to maintain a modicum of objectivity, let me strive to do so. The number of individuals who continue to support the former president’s unfounded claims of a “stolen election,” are astounding. Further, when you overlay those, primary Republicans, who identify with the Evangelical movement, those numbers are even higher. Fully two-thirds to three-fourths of these individuals support these accusations. These are some of the same individuals who participated in the assault on our country on January 6th. They include those who were seeking out the Vice President to “hang” him for not doing the president’s bidding. Included would be those who were responsible for the death of several police officers and the maiming of countless others. The destruction of property and lives must be laid at the feet of those who were involved. How can anyone who espouses to believe in what they claim to be the inherent teachings included in the Bible be swayed to behave in this manner. It is my belief that what has emerged over these past few years has been a “Cult of Trumpism.”
Let me share why I believe, there is a “Cult of Trumpism.” Thankfully, Google is of some assistance, and the following definition comes from that source:” A cult is a group or movement held together by a shared commitment to a charismatic leader or ideology. It has a belief system that has the answers to all of life’s questions and offers a special solution to be gained only by following the leader’s rules.” Seems to be on target in describing the current climate in the Republican Party. Considering what we are witnessing today, there seems to be little to question that the belief system promoted by the former president and his followers meets this definition. Whatever one might think of Trump, he does have charisma and he does have the power of persuasion. Amongst those who claim to be Evangelicals, he does provide a means to their stated ends. He has delivered on appointing judges at all levels that are inclined to support the belief system. These judges have been instrumental in limiting abortion and will rule in favor of curtailing some of the other more progressive decisions of the past. Thus, the means, support for Trump, justifies these outcomes, the end.
There is no doubt that Trump has charisma and has been ever so successful in getting others to follow him. The belief system that he promotes is that he and his followers are right and those who do not follow are wrong. If you look at the current array of political contests, many in the Republican party parrot what they have learned to say to get anointed by Trump. Many of his followers have been successful in the recent midterm primaries and the general election will be the litmus test as to whether the majority throughout the country support Trump’s belief system. Do understand that although Trump is charismatic, charisma is without morality. Various individuals throughout the history of humankind have been charismatic and have been influential in leading others, not always in an acceptable direction. The danger in such an environment is that individuals lose their individuality and fall into “group think” and are focused on following and supporting the leader. The question looms as to what the outcome will be if Trump and his followers are losers in upcoming elections. Will there be a repeat of the recent general election where Trump stated before the results were known that if he lost it was because the election was rigged. Will this become the acceptable message and, if so, what will follow? Will there be a repeat of January 6th? Will the streets of the nation erupt with clashes between Trump’s followers and the non-followers? Will guns and other weapons resolve differences? Will there be any safe havens? What will life be like once some of the dust has settled? What will be the vision for our country? Do remember, as the biblical passages states: “where there is no vision, the people perish”?