Never too late to know the truth and pivot…I am so disappointed in Tim Scott and I pray that Nicki Haley is not just wanting to be vice-president to Trump…where is the courage, the common decency, and willingness to stand up even if standing alone? We Christians teach our children and grandchildren about David, the giant killer. He didn’t seem able to do much but with God’s strength he defeated the Giant. I am praying for many David’s (or many Adams) to kill this divisiveness and help heal our democracy.
I was talking with a republican in my family about what else, the election. I don't preach, i more or less listen to them.
However, i did say, (and I quote someone we all know)" you might not agree with joe bidens policies, or what he is doing, but he won't destroy the country. Trump will."
They replied "true. Maybe i should vote for biden." I let it go at that, hoping .
The Republican MAGA party is both a cult and a gang. Usually cults stay within themselves and don’t try to eliminate rival cults. Gangs want to kill rival gangs, which is what the MAGAS are implying with every “civil
War” reference. They’re dangerous people. Why they are not being considered a terrorist organization is beyond me. They’re advocating for the destruction of the government FFS.
What I don't understand and I'll say it again. I brought this up before. My dad is the most amazing man in the world. He's taught me to be a good person with a good heart to think about those before myself to give to community to open my mind and accept everybody. Yet somehow Donald Trump has bamboozled him into being this Trump's my guy kind of attitude. I don't understand it. It breaks my heart. I don't know what he has over people. I thought we we were a country of common sense but apparently I was wrong
I must admit that I have been (without realizing it) unwelcoming to those who I know or suspect are Trump cultists. From often saying "I can't believe the Country voted that blowhard to be President" (since election day 2016 to this day) to politely ignoring them when they espouse Trump's "greatness ". As you correctly point out Adam, this only drives them back to the comfort zone of their cult (Fox News, Newsmax, Truth Social, fellow "believers" etc.).
I (we) must do better by engaging with them in ways that are welcoming, factual and, above all, Not demeaning or hostile.
I was not even a fan at the time, but I remember so well when JFK introduced the Peace Corps and famously said “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. I feel we need a message so badly that will bring us - or at least some of us- back together again in the interests of our country. I think with all the political outpouring over time, what words do I really remember? I think of WW II as another time when we pulled together and put up with some hardships to preserve our government. Yes, I know there were abuses and racial divides even then. But it also seemed in retrospect that many people had a vision that was beneficent about this country. I hope some leadership can bring that back.
I wish there were a way to get young Americans to consider some role in military/national security. Having only 1% of the country take an active role makes the other 99% feel that America’s security is something to be outsourced. Of course, we also know that Trump feels anyone who risks his life for the general good is a moron or an idiot (just like Don Corleone in “The Godfather”)
I believe that you and Richard Breining are correct. My antipathy toward trump believers is strong and angry and I might well have made the mistake of punishing one for breaking with the cult so tardily. But your words are wise. People respond so much better to compassion and respect than they do to insults. Welcome to the world of sanity and thoughtfulness. I hope you haven’t been ridiculed for your honor, integrity, courage and clear judgment.
This piece makes me question my antipathy towards MAGA-T's. I know it comes through in my communications in a way that may be counterproductive or simply preaching to the choir to the exclusion of others who believe the opposite or may be on the fence. Wonderful story of your coming to terms with religion. Raised in a strict Lutheran home, I learned to trust my doubts. It wasn't until I read Valerie Tarico and Sam Harris that I became comfortable in my break from religion. I will seek ways or words to allow MAGA's space to reject their hatred and extreme views. No doubt plenty of examples will surface.
Wow, I am shocked that your IFCA church numbered 900!! I grew up never knowing another like ours that had 300 so we were the big gun! Yes, I agree with your observations matching MAGA to IFCA cultishness and I enjoy telling this joke often: Catholic man is escorted around heaven meeting believers from "so many churches". He sees a high walled compound several blocks square from which he hears laughter and cheering. Upon inquiring, he is told, "Oh, those are the IFCA, they think they're the only ones here!"
Thank you Adam, as always. What if it’s not just a cult? What if Trump isn’t even in charge? What if it’s a Global Authoritarian regime that is intent on a total takedown of our Democracy by placing bad actors in strategic roles within our country, like the Judiciary?
Would like to sit with fellow Americans and break bread together, watch football,baseball whatever and just have fun. There are many folks who are lonely and don’t belong to a cult. Nothing better than a good home cooked meal. Does everything have to be so darn hard and serious. I believe in 2 yrs of service in military and the peace corps. In this world we need to be vigilant about our troops and money to upgrade weapons and take care of our veterans when back home. Let’s not fall into being apathetic about people in the world who need our help. We are not isolationists but global. I’m sorry to ramble all over here. I’m not a writer but have so much to say. First break bread with a neighbor who you might think is different and find out you’re pretty much alike. Eat.
I keep hoping to meet someone, anyone, who's left--or escaped--the Republican cult, but so far, I haven't encountered a soul. That may be because I live in the deepest, most willfully ignorant red state on the map besides Alabama and Mississippi, but I still harbor hope one day I'll meet an ex-MAGA cultist and if I do, I just pray I don't end up throwing my arms around their neck and crying with gratitude and relief. It's gotten that bad, Rep. Kinzinger. The myriad cultists I meet and/or know here are as fanatically entrenched as any soul-drained, suicidal jihadist.
I too grew up in an IFB church and can identify all those characteristics and practices you listed that supposedly kept one walking close to the Lord. It was a list of do’s and don’ts that was all important. I now attend a church that has their focus where Jesus would want us to concentrate, on the person, the individual. Last Sunday our pastor had an illustration for his sermon that had a profound impact on me. He said we are to tell every one of His love, be witnesses. But instead we spend our time putting on a robe and picking up a gavel, judging. He actually put a black robe on and gaveled the music stand (we don’t have pulpits in our church). My mind immediately went to the maga cult because of how judgmental they are with any person or group that doesn’t think like them. And then I thought how similar I am in what I think of those cult members. I’m judging them, and that brought me up short. Adam, you are so right about finding that compassion, that human commonality with each other. I think the maga cult took hold because people stopped going to churches of their various faiths (participating in that fellowship with like minded groups). Even the local market in many places is a thing of the past. I know there are groups on social media (I’m not on any of them) but it’s not the same as in person conversations. We were made to live our lives in community. Not sure what it’ll take to break Trump’s hold but we all need to search for a way to reach them.
Never too late to know the truth and pivot…I am so disappointed in Tim Scott and I pray that Nicki Haley is not just wanting to be vice-president to Trump…where is the courage, the common decency, and willingness to stand up even if standing alone? We Christians teach our children and grandchildren about David, the giant killer. He didn’t seem able to do much but with God’s strength he defeated the Giant. I am praying for many David’s (or many Adams) to kill this divisiveness and help heal our democracy.
I was talking with a republican in my family about what else, the election. I don't preach, i more or less listen to them.
However, i did say, (and I quote someone we all know)" you might not agree with joe bidens policies, or what he is doing, but he won't destroy the country. Trump will."
They replied "true. Maybe i should vote for biden." I let it go at that, hoping .
It is never too late to leave the cult. I will welcome anyone with open arms. As a matter of fact, we need them!
The Republican MAGA party is both a cult and a gang. Usually cults stay within themselves and don’t try to eliminate rival cults. Gangs want to kill rival gangs, which is what the MAGAS are implying with every “civil
War” reference. They’re dangerous people. Why they are not being considered a terrorist organization is beyond me. They’re advocating for the destruction of the government FFS.
What I don't understand and I'll say it again. I brought this up before. My dad is the most amazing man in the world. He's taught me to be a good person with a good heart to think about those before myself to give to community to open my mind and accept everybody. Yet somehow Donald Trump has bamboozled him into being this Trump's my guy kind of attitude. I don't understand it. It breaks my heart. I don't know what he has over people. I thought we we were a country of common sense but apparently I was wrong
Very insightful.
I must admit that I have been (without realizing it) unwelcoming to those who I know or suspect are Trump cultists. From often saying "I can't believe the Country voted that blowhard to be President" (since election day 2016 to this day) to politely ignoring them when they espouse Trump's "greatness ". As you correctly point out Adam, this only drives them back to the comfort zone of their cult (Fox News, Newsmax, Truth Social, fellow "believers" etc.).
I (we) must do better by engaging with them in ways that are welcoming, factual and, above all, Not demeaning or hostile.
I was not even a fan at the time, but I remember so well when JFK introduced the Peace Corps and famously said “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. I feel we need a message so badly that will bring us - or at least some of us- back together again in the interests of our country. I think with all the political outpouring over time, what words do I really remember? I think of WW II as another time when we pulled together and put up with some hardships to preserve our government. Yes, I know there were abuses and racial divides even then. But it also seemed in retrospect that many people had a vision that was beneficent about this country. I hope some leadership can bring that back.
I wish there were a way to get young Americans to consider some role in military/national security. Having only 1% of the country take an active role makes the other 99% feel that America’s security is something to be outsourced. Of course, we also know that Trump feels anyone who risks his life for the general good is a moron or an idiot (just like Don Corleone in “The Godfather”)
I believe that you and Richard Breining are correct. My antipathy toward trump believers is strong and angry and I might well have made the mistake of punishing one for breaking with the cult so tardily. But your words are wise. People respond so much better to compassion and respect than they do to insults. Welcome to the world of sanity and thoughtfulness. I hope you haven’t been ridiculed for your honor, integrity, courage and clear judgment.
This piece makes me question my antipathy towards MAGA-T's. I know it comes through in my communications in a way that may be counterproductive or simply preaching to the choir to the exclusion of others who believe the opposite or may be on the fence. Wonderful story of your coming to terms with religion. Raised in a strict Lutheran home, I learned to trust my doubts. It wasn't until I read Valerie Tarico and Sam Harris that I became comfortable in my break from religion. I will seek ways or words to allow MAGA's space to reject their hatred and extreme views. No doubt plenty of examples will surface.
I know this is off topic but In today’s Boston Globe there is a front page story about the growing apathy of young voters.
They need to wake up because they are the ones who will be dealing with the outcome of this election for decades.
Deprogramming cult members is extraordinarily difficult. It can be done but it needs patience.
Wow, I am shocked that your IFCA church numbered 900!! I grew up never knowing another like ours that had 300 so we were the big gun! Yes, I agree with your observations matching MAGA to IFCA cultishness and I enjoy telling this joke often: Catholic man is escorted around heaven meeting believers from "so many churches". He sees a high walled compound several blocks square from which he hears laughter and cheering. Upon inquiring, he is told, "Oh, those are the IFCA, they think they're the only ones here!"
Thank you Adam, as always. What if it’s not just a cult? What if Trump isn’t even in charge? What if it’s a Global Authoritarian regime that is intent on a total takedown of our Democracy by placing bad actors in strategic roles within our country, like the Judiciary?
Would like to sit with fellow Americans and break bread together, watch football,baseball whatever and just have fun. There are many folks who are lonely and don’t belong to a cult. Nothing better than a good home cooked meal. Does everything have to be so darn hard and serious. I believe in 2 yrs of service in military and the peace corps. In this world we need to be vigilant about our troops and money to upgrade weapons and take care of our veterans when back home. Let’s not fall into being apathetic about people in the world who need our help. We are not isolationists but global. I’m sorry to ramble all over here. I’m not a writer but have so much to say. First break bread with a neighbor who you might think is different and find out you’re pretty much alike. Eat.
I keep hoping to meet someone, anyone, who's left--or escaped--the Republican cult, but so far, I haven't encountered a soul. That may be because I live in the deepest, most willfully ignorant red state on the map besides Alabama and Mississippi, but I still harbor hope one day I'll meet an ex-MAGA cultist and if I do, I just pray I don't end up throwing my arms around their neck and crying with gratitude and relief. It's gotten that bad, Rep. Kinzinger. The myriad cultists I meet and/or know here are as fanatically entrenched as any soul-drained, suicidal jihadist.
I too grew up in an IFB church and can identify all those characteristics and practices you listed that supposedly kept one walking close to the Lord. It was a list of do’s and don’ts that was all important. I now attend a church that has their focus where Jesus would want us to concentrate, on the person, the individual. Last Sunday our pastor had an illustration for his sermon that had a profound impact on me. He said we are to tell every one of His love, be witnesses. But instead we spend our time putting on a robe and picking up a gavel, judging. He actually put a black robe on and gaveled the music stand (we don’t have pulpits in our church). My mind immediately went to the maga cult because of how judgmental they are with any person or group that doesn’t think like them. And then I thought how similar I am in what I think of those cult members. I’m judging them, and that brought me up short. Adam, you are so right about finding that compassion, that human commonality with each other. I think the maga cult took hold because people stopped going to churches of their various faiths (participating in that fellowship with like minded groups). Even the local market in many places is a thing of the past. I know there are groups on social media (I’m not on any of them) but it’s not the same as in person conversations. We were made to live our lives in community. Not sure what it’ll take to break Trump’s hold but we all need to search for a way to reach them.