Something Fishy

I think many forms of evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity in this country are less about spirituality and more about belonging to a self-identified superior group. They are “God’s people.” And who decided they are “God’s people”? They did. They are “saved.” And you’re not saved unless you accept their beliefs and become like them.

They talk about heaven and the rapture, but I think their form of religion is really more about earthly rewards. Various forms of Dominionism are running like wildfire throughout the whole movement. They believe they deserve political and social power. And they believe they deserve it at the exclusion of everyone else. The prosperity gospel is also very strong with these people. They think they deserve to be wealthy…because they are “saved.” They are “God’s people.”

It’s very telling that conservative Republican ideology and evangelical fundamentalism go hand in hand. And it is sad but also expected that some of the poorest people in this country buy into both. It probably seems like the easiest way to matter and become somebody. You can go from being the least important person in your neighborhood to being among “God’s people” in an instant. All you have to do is answer an altar call, and you’re in. In many instances, they’re also being told that if they work hard and have enough faith, God might bless them with wealth. If it doesn’t happen, and they remain poor, they’re told they’re just not working hard enough, or they don’t have enough faith, or that God will reward them in heaven.

It seems to me it is a kind of fascist con game. I look at American evangelicals and fundamentalists, and I think I know what Marx meant when he said religion is the opiate of the people. I don’t think that’s necessarily true of all religion, but if religion becomes an exclusive club, and if poor members are being told that they need to serve the interests of those better off than they are and that they deserve their lot in life or that being poor serves some higher purpose, I think there’s something fishy going on, and I don’t think it has much to do with spirituality.