This morning, on his Substack, Robert Reich asks how we are coping with the news of the last couple of weeks. I answered him, and I’d like to share that answer here.
Part of his post said:
I have faith in the basic common sense and good-heartedness of Americans — as well as our optimism.
To which I responded:
I dearly wish that I had such faith. I look at the MAGA cult, and I wonder what happened to the USA that I remember. Yes, we’ve always had our fair share of bigotry, but this resurgence is the worst I’ve seen since the Civil Rights movement. I’m not convinced that Trump will lose this election, and I am terrified at the prospect of him and the Christian Nationalists backing him regaining power.
That would truly be the end of this experiment called Democracy for this nation, and quite possibly for the entire world. It’s what the “Christians” want after all. The tribulation must occur for them to get their resurrection and the Rapture.
We stand at a critical cross-roads for this nation. And the only thing that can save us, is for all who are not cult members to vote. And vote blue. Not just for the President, but for the entire ballot. Maybe you don’t like things about Biden. That doesn’t matter at this juncture.
Also, please note that I put “Christians” in quotes above. I know, and love and respect, many Christians. They are those who remember the words of Christ when he said, in Matthew 22:37-39:
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I’m certain that many of you remember that I no longer identify as Christian. Not because the words of Christ don’t ring true to me, but rather that the majority of Christians in the United States judge me, and have condemned me to Hell for choosing to live my life authentically. In this, they continue to chase people away from Christ’s message.
No, I don’t have a magic answer to today’s pervasive hatred and glorification of violence. I really just came here to say: “I am not coping well.”
Blessings, and “The journey continues.”
An Aging Trans Woman 
I don’t identify as Christian because I don’t believe in the type of God portrayed. A lot of the rules I grew up with seem reasonable, though – don’t betray people, randomly kill them, etc. Even the 7 sins seems like warnings for a building a garbage society.
The thing is, most of these ‘Christians’ don’t seem to believe in their God either as they rush to judge instead of leaving it to their God to reward people as they live and after death.
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I was raised Southern Baptist (hellfire and brimstone) and I couldn’t accept that kind of god either. I distinctly remember questioning “How am I a more loving parent than the God I was supposed to worship?” That judgement, and the entire concept of condemning your loved ones to Hell, seemed wrong to me, even before I formally left the religion. That was the impetus for my departure from the SBC.
Having acknowledged my place in the LGBT community, and being open about who I was, the hatred I’ve experienced from those “Christians” was enough to ensure I could never, in good conscience, return.
Ultimately, I turned to Paganism. I feel accepted, and loved, among the Pagan community. That community has its flaws, but it offers me community, not condemnation.
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I grew up RCC with West Coast nuns (Vancouver). A gentler form of religion with a focus on good works. I guess I’m lucky to not feel the need for a spiritual community. If people focused on making communities the best they could be instead of being divisive and competitive, the world would be a better place.
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Reblogged over on Scottie’s; set for in the morning. I hope you rest well tonight!
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Thank you Ali. It was a decently restful night. 💜
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Good!
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