America's Social/Political Gospels...
Are American Christians Embracing a Personality Cult with Donald Trump?
Or are They Rejecting the Socialist Unification of Cultural, Religious and Political Power?
Or are They Rejecting the Socialist Unification of Cultural, Religious and Political Power?
photo source:https://www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-stands-in-front-of-st-john-s-church-holding-bible-after-threatening-military-action-against-protesters-84206661837
The broadcasts highlighted, "bigger than life," personalities who were transformed into Heroes and Anti-Heroes.
Years later, as an adult while working at my hospital, I was called to assist in a confrontation with one of these heroic personalities. He was easy to recognize by name and appearance and fortunately physical confrontation became unnecessary when he responded to problem solving. But I was saddened to see this childhood hero, reduced to a frightened elderly man.
What I had experienced as a child is called a, "cult of personality," which is similar to the, "cult of the leader."
My intention is to compare and quantify these two terms in regards to President Trump. The, "cult of the leader," refers to a political or military figure that authoritatively captures the venue of mass media, (keyword authoritatively). Both cult forms work through the creation of spectacle and insert disinformation or propaganda or even the disarming effects of the big lie to create an idealized, heroic, and even worshipful image or regime.
These, "Cults of the Leader," or the regimes they create exist in a climate of unquestioning flattery and praise, (keyword unquestioning), where acts of glorification through the arts and government-organized demonstrations and rallies of focused loyalty are mandatory and dissenters are punished. North Korea's Dictator Kim Jong-Hyun is this type of leader.
Although the wrestling. "Cult of Personality," that I engaged in as a child, had it's distortions of reality. It was a harmless entertainment, tool used to create emotional engagement and excitement in the wrestling audience.
In the 2016 and 2020 Presidential elections, a similar technique occurred as Donald Trump personified himself, in a similar manner under the inspiration of the engaging and entertaining Jesse Ventura.
Jesse Ventura's entertaining," Persona," in Wrestling was also useful in Politicking. This strategy opened the door for him to successfully become a City Mayor and later, the Governor of the State of Minnesota.
Similar to Jesse... Trump's grandiose and engaging politicking style has also been successful and this success has also led to a, "Cult-Like," following. Although his presentation often seems extreme, he has not sought extremes in social or political change. He has not authoritatively taken charge of the government or media. On the contrary, his stance has been mostly Libertarian as he has demonstrated tolerance of opposing views and buffered changes on the social level. Consider for instance his being in support of conservative views on abortion and religious freedom and liberal views toward the Gay Community. (Have you heard his UN speech?)
Instead of seizing power and increasing authoritarian Governmental control, Trump's focus has been on reducing the powers given to Governmental institutions. For these reasons, I believe that Trump has an unusual, "Cult of Personality following, but not a, Cult of the Leader," position. I also believe that the unified, intense opposition to his presence and actions by his opponents show a much larger, more pervasive and authoritarian, "Cult of the Leader," regime wrongly labeled as Liberal tolerance.
In comparison, to Trump's, "Cult of Personality," the regimented effects found in the, "Cult of the Leader," (or regime of his opposition) are much more dangerous.
Consider what occurred in Germany during the first half of the last century. The Nazi regime was not a harmless expression of freedom. It was founded on, and wrongly legitimized through a series of culture shaking, misinterpreted scientific discoveries. With social emphasis focused on these, emerging "Evolutionary Interpretations," views of human existence changed as values clarification goals were promoted through the schools to support the racial advancement of select groups and subjugate and even exterminate those who were less valued by their culture. This was easily achieved through their educational system extending down to the youngest of students.
Many aspects of this effort were applauded throughout German academia and among Progressive elites internationally. It became central in the culture, and Churches that embraced these values were labeled the, " Recognized Church," while dissenters were discounted and cancelled or even experienced death and persecution. In just eight years Nazi values progressed to dominate the entire nation and soon this Progressive Socialist Government ruled as central authority in all areas of German life. For the Progressives of that day, It was a miracle! As Germany finally had a (seemingly) cohesive society.
But back to the original question. How is all of the current emphasis on Trump and Trumpism being experienced by Christians? Are the thousands of predominantly Christian rural communities across America united in a desire to dominate and oppress those who disagree with them through the oppressive strength of an authoritative dominating leader? Are they seeking to centralizr power under the government?
But back to the original question. How is all of the current emphasis on Trump and Trumpism being experienced by Christians? Are the thousands of predominantly Christian rural communities across America united in a desire to dominate and oppress those who disagree with them through the oppressive strength of an authoritative dominating leader? Are they seeking to centralizr power under the government?
Or are they along with vast numbers of nonreligious Americans seeking to avoid being dominated by an imposing culture of radicle change? Are they hoping to stop this advancement and return to the American values that they love and understand?
In watching the brief informative videos below, consider how the perceived needs and fears of Germany's people were shaped to motivate German Citizens to adapt to the Nazi Narrative. An exclusive and pervasive narrative that was so contrary to the values they had held just one generation before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y81-SzkwwhU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHERiyU7jcM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7awpjXrWls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFkb7vYZp8U
Unfortunately a more comprehensive video on the politics of religion in Germany was removed from youtub. It is still available at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x79b28o.
A central figure presented in that video is Gerhard Kittel, chosen due to his disciplined scholarly influence and fluctuating compromises with the evolving positions held by Germany's, "Recognized Church", as compared to Bonhoeffer's, "Confessing Church." Kittel is also described in the brief video below and the groups are described briefly in the second video below.
The Strange Story of Gerhard Kittel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHMFiConJ1A
Two Kingdoms in the Third Reich - Professor Alec Ryrie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEdnwpo28NM
For a fuller understanding, I do encourage vieing the original 56 minute video at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x79b28o.
And now after considering these lessons from history. What do you think? Are American Christians embracing a, "Cult of the Leader," with Donald Trump as in the Pro Hitler German-Christian Movement?
Or:
Is Trump's, politicking, "Persona," more of an entertainment feature that crudely engages America's audiences. Is the support of Americas conservatives and libertarians more like the1934 Confessing Church who opposed the takeover of their Government, Religion and Culture by a progressively Socialist regime? A takeover accomplished through censorship, discriminatory laws and social practices. One that seized their Sources of industry, Healthcare, Education and regulatory institutions to create Governmental Centralized Control? Are these libertarians and conservative Christians joined with Trump in a progressive take over?
Or:
Is theirs's an effort of resistance against a Progressive, "Cult of the Leader," (regime) that has already captured much of what I listed above and is tightening their grip with each advancement?
Also consider this short eyewitness account..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOlxAFm25lg&list=PLc7nB8Z7S2L9GQlR3fYnbWBRejFm6cyHt&index=3
Were they welcoming Hitler as a leader? Or embracing the promises of what was to come with the progressive social changes demanded by his regime?
For a less serious comparison, consider leadership styles in the Presidency at my other blog at:
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