Georgetown historian Thomas Zimmer on the perpetuation of religious extremism in America and its threat to democracy.
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This is another iteration of an apologist sleight of hand that is often deployed to provide cover for the Republican Party: If extremism is not defined by its ideological and political substance, but purely as “something fringe,” then the minute it becomes GOP mainstream, it ceases to be regarded as extreme. Just like that, radical ideas and politicians get automatically legitimized: By definition, the Republican Party, regardless of how substantively extreme, gets treated as “normal” simply because it is not fringe, because it is supported by almost half the country.
The result is a portrait of Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, as someone well within the bounds of the regular, the respectable. Here is a normalization machine that perpetuates itself: Once it has successfully transformed Johnson into someone who is legible as “normal,” he will get the “normal” treatment: Rising political stars can expect a certain sympathetic fascination, even deference, and they get a home story that makes them look good. Mike Johnson just got his. All about family and faith
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dropping an oath requirement
NJ no longer requires a 'so help me God' oath in candidate filings.
a tip of the hat to Sukie
It's clear that a stated belief in God is not a guarantee of honest and upstanding people.
05:28 in General Commentary, Religion | Permalink | Comments (0)