3 ms·

> I have a theory that with the decline of religion in the West, people replaced what they got from religious ideology with political ideology. I disagree with

> I have a theory that with the decline of religion in the West, people replaced what they got from religious ideology with political ideology. I disagree with the premise. Most of "the West" outside of America didn't replace religion with political ideology. America is also one of the Western countries that are slowest to lose religion, and it seems (from outside, as a European) that the loudest voices, at least on the political right, are also the most religious. Meanwhile, in my experience, the European countries that have most strongly rejected religion have not at all replaced it with politics. I don't think they've replaced it with anything, really. Some new age stuff, yoga. A few people with politics but only a small minority.

bodiekane 2y ago
> it seems (from outside, as a European) that the loudest voices, at least on the political right, are also the most religious It's good that you recognize you're getting an outsider, biased viewpoint... because as an American, I can't square this with my experience at all. If we were talking about 25+ years ago, then yes, the Republican party had a strong connection to a Christian base of voters and religious influence on policy was significant. Today though, it's an utterly insignificant special interest group. I doubt any religious group would crack the top 100 most influential lobbying groups, unless you count Israel but that feels distinct from religion. The Democrats are essentially anti-religion, other than a vague desire to be inclusive to diverse religions. The Republicans are able to make a little political hay because of this ("War on Christmas" type stuff) and sometimes various elements of vices (drugs, prostitution, gambling, porn) or other ethical concerns (death penalty, abortion, assisted-suicide, ending life support) are influenced by religious beliefs. Look at the fact that Donald Trump just won the popular vote and a decisive victory across broad demographics. His connection to Christianity is about as strong as any politician's connection to whatever regional food dish they eat for a photo-op one night on the campaign trail before moving on to appeal to the next city by doing their local cultural thing.

bodiekane 2y ago

> it seems (from outside, as a European) that the loudest voices, at least on the political right, are also the most religious It's good that you recognize you're getting an outsider, biased viewpoint... because as an American, I can't square this with my experience at all. If we were talking about 25+ years ago, then yes, the Republican party had a strong connection to a Christian base of voters and religious influence on policy was significant. Today though, it's an utterly insignificant special interest group. I doubt any religious group would crack the top 100 most influential lobbying groups, unless you count Israel but that feels distinct from religion. The Democrats are essentially anti-religion, other than a vague desire to be inclusive to diverse religions. The Republicans are able to make a little political hay because of this ("War on Christmas" type stuff) and sometimes various elements of vices (drugs, prostitution, gambling, porn) or other ethical concerns (death penalty, abortion, assisted-suicide, ending life support) are influenced by religious beliefs. Look at the fact that Donald Trump just won the popular vote and a decisive victory across broad demographics. His connection to Christianity is about as strong as any politician's connection to whatever regional food dish they eat for a photo-op one night on the campaign trail before moving on to appeal to the next city by doing their local cultural thing.