I just got through reading a thought-provoking KOS article titled. Finally ...An evangelical preacher thinks Trump's bible is disgusting and blasphemy. A video of the preacher speaking, Pastor Loran Livingston cited in the article, can be viewed here.
Fundamentalism is Authoritarianism
I recommend reading it and watching the short video but also wanted to respond to the dangers inherent in fundamentalism even of the variety described in the above cited case. It is vital to understand the cornerstones of fundamentalist preaching and why it still can have a powerful hold on individuals that follows a religion advocated in such a manner.
Even though one may have liked the above preacher’s condemnations of religious irrationality merging with politics, it is still being delivered in what amounts to an authoritarian way (the leader berating his followers), with his flock still not having their own rational understanding of the dangers of such an interaction.
Those Who Fail to Adapt are Swept Away
The fatal flaw in fundamentalism, and indeed with most religions, is that they uphold inflexible dogmas that are frozen in time, claiming them to be universal truths handed down by God. They suffer from the arrogance of their willful ignorance — and are imprisoned by their decaying dogmas.
Basics of Fundamentalism, Authoritarianism and Cultism
- Sexual guilt and repression experienced early in life are critical developmental factors in a modern, private property dominated society. It would still exist without the overt sex-negative nature of fundamentalist and religious dogma.
- Fundamentalism emphasizes an authoritarian patriarchal view and perspective on society.
- God is presented as the central all powerful male authoritarian figure and the source of all truth.
- The catch is that the religious leader/preacher stands in for and represents God and assumes actual authoritarian leadership.
- The members submit to whatever dogma is being preached.
- Members tend to give up their prior beliefs and interpretations of religion and accept the authority and persuasion of the fundamentalist pastor/preacher.
- Members stop thinking for themselves and accept the dogmas and words of the preacher more or less blindly as the word of God and not just those of the preacher’s.
- Fundamentalism provides an irrational, simplistic, fantasized and dangerous world view.
- Obedience to God’s laws are the duty of every member as defined by the preacher/leader.
- Cultism arises when the leader assumes actual powers of life and death over its members.
Origins of Sexual Guilt
As said previously, sexual repression and manipulations are behind, to various degrees, the dogma of all three major patriarchal religions as well as many others.
Of all the things that prepare an individual to be submissive to authority figures, the development in the child of feelings of sexual guilt and fear of an all powerful male god that must be obeyed are perhaps the most significant factors. Under such pressures they more easily submit to the authoritarian and regimented nature of most societies.
Our sexuality is a basic part of our life force and humanity. The many factors in authoritarian upbringing, including certain sex negative religious teachings, prepare the way to eliminate our natural sexuality and rational judgemental abilities when exploring it.
Child Abuse by Dogma
We were told in my Catholic grammar school in the 1950s that masturbation was a mortal sin punishable by eternal damnation in hell fire.
One of the greatest myths perpetrated by both patriarchal religions and even most secular societies alike are the asexual nature of the before puberty years. And I’m not mentioning this so as to justify the sexual abuse of these children by adults, but because the normal age related sexual interactions and attractions that develop between children if given the opportunity are denied.
Sexual Repression and Private Property
The historical development of manufacturing and agricultural technologies led to occupational skills and class societies with different access to the material benefits. Open and free sexuality between classes could eventually lead to common, more collective forms of ownership and had to be discouraged or forbidden if the elite were to keep their privileges.
Even non-religious families restrict sexual experiences and contact on the part of their children. What is rarely realized are the emotional, neurotic, developmental and mental health consequences.
Wilhelm Reich: The Mass Psychology of Fascism
Cultism and Fascism
Trump’s numerous rallies provide the social opportunity for alike people to get together. We are a socially organized species, and such events can foster both very negative as well as positive experiences.
Religious services provide a similar opportunity. Watch any fundamentalist preacher speak to his members and you will quickly note the commanding and judgemental way in which the leader speaks, which is received by the audience with anxiety and as entertainment and excitement.
A voice that expresses confidence about what is said and demonstrates no apparent doubt, weaknesses, or humility. Except when he preaches his own submission to God, which is actually intended to arouse feelings of both attraction and submission and is often insincere.
When the degree of emotional dependencies are extreme, we find dangerous cultish groups forming. Fascist movements are one such example, which are typically the merging of authoritarianism and religion with politics. We are all familiar with their historically violent extremism.