I read an article today claiming that while the majority of Americans are creationists, they are insecure creationists. The article, combined with recent research suggesting that conservatives are predisposed to be conservative, reminded me of an older co-worker I havent thought about for years who I think supports that research. He was a Presbyterian turned Baptist who switched churches because his pastor son was kicked out of the church for protesting the new female leader of the Presbyterian organization. A fire and brimstone type, he believed that yes, god is a prick, but since he holds sovereignty over the rest of us, he is perfectly entitled to be a prick. He also believed in predestination and thought that only a small percentage of us would be saved. A staunch Republican, he sat outside in our gazebo during his lunch breaks and listened to Rush Limbaugh. We had more than a few heated arguments, but for all that, had a good relationship because he had a grudging respect for the fact that I always held my own regarding biblical knowledge. In his weaker moments he would tell me that he had found religion largely because of his feelings of guilt, and would tell me stories about how he and a friend dangled a hooker out of a tenth story hotel window because she tried to steal his wallet. He also regaled me with stories about stalking queers in the park with his college buddies and beating them. I asked him once, tongue in cheek, whether he and his posse had ever lynched a black guy, to which he replied, No,but... and then wisely declined to elaborate. I always question the legitimacy of his conversion, pointing out that while he felt guilt, he never mentioned any feelings of remorse. Strange as it seems, This guy was instrumental in my recognition that I needed to develop tolerance for conflicting points of view, because I was able to see, beneath the cruel actions and disjointed thoughts, his conflicts and his fear and insecurity. I have little tolerance for fiscal conservatives, because they tend to be sociopaths who leverage the fear and stubbornness of the social conservatives into votes. Their only belief is acquisition. But if there is any truth to the theory that social conservatives are predisposed to hold certain attitudes, then I have to believe that a life devoted to resisting change and fostering feelings of hatred, fear and resentment has to be in itself a living hell.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 00:25:57 +0000
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