Religion & Authoritarianism: An Unholy Alliance
Historically, authoritarians co-opt religion, professing belief in gods they don’t believe in and a love of religion they never demonstrate. Is “Spiritual Questing” the antidote?
Donald Trump in Front of St. John’s Church, Washington, D.C., 2020 ~ The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Perilously Close
How vulnerable is the United States to authoritarianism? Given the revelations of the January 6th investigative committee and recent decisions by the Supreme Court?
It may depend on the nation’s degree of “religiousness.”
A Cautionary Tale: a Former Atheist and His Religion
A stark, historic example is from the “father” of modern fascism, Italy’s Benito Mussolini. His is the classic story of a despot who rose to power on brute authoritarian force.