There are differences in the psychic attitude among those that call themselves evangelicals. There is one group that has a propensity for good, right) true and correct and the other group a propensity for evil , like “zealots” with their religious and political views which are more profoundly immoral, wicked , wrong and incorrect. The belief that evil began and originated with Adam , Eve and the Garden of Eden is beyond the scope of this essay. This good-evil division has resulted in some evangelical pastors being fearful ,burned out and leaving their congregations. The definition of an evangelical can mean someone or something that is in agreement with the Christian gospel of Jesus such as believing in the authority of the Bible , the importance of believing that Jesus Christ saved you personally from sin or hell . However, being in agreement , identifying with the “suffering” Messiah figure Trump, denying that he is evil is congruent in being a true “ false idol "evangelical" along with their hatred and death wishes against their democratic , liberal deep state oppressors. This essay has to do with those that call themselves Evangelical Christians.
Do all evangelicals believe that God's angels battled demons in a war for our souls; the belief in the redeeming blood of Christ; God's endless love and ; how can evil exist if God is all-powerful and all good ? I would define an evangelical as one that not only believes , but acts in accordance with the teachings and philosophy of Jesus Christ and his disciples and the tendency for following the moral and ethical principles of the 10 Commandments; positive treatment for respecting all others; assisting the poor and unfortunate; not being prey , seduced being greedy regarding the acquisition of money and living a fulfilling life without hate , discrimination and prejudice. In essence, the proposition that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah promised by the prophets. Jesus, after His death is by the divine awakening raised to the right hand of God and will soon return to set up His kingdom visibly upon the earth is pertinent..
Moreover, Jesus and his disciples like John the Baptist and the story of Lazurus "who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table." Luke 16:21 "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied....... ; Luke 6”20 . "How hard is it for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go to the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" Luke 18:24 are examples of early Christian attitudes expressed pertaining to the poor and the rich . These statements do not sound like they come from the Trump cult.
The existence , purpose ,power and overthrow of God was challenged during the French Revolution in the late 18th century . The idea that a monarchy associating with God was necessary to rule was confronted and overthrown with rebellion. Man didn't have to follow the dictates of the King. Man could self rule based on his propensity to develop with liberty, equality, fraternity , and objectivity , and thus create a better, happier society in which man could more fully evolve.
Related, Karl Marx believed that man's humanistic potential was the result of his labor . With control, involvement and equality within the production of his labor , the opportunity for a classless society could be established. If so, man would create more meaning to his life, able to evolve physically, cognitively , emotionally, and interpersonally. In other words, man could have the potential and ability to love himself and to love others. If not, the potential for man becoming alienated would increase because of the negative practices , greed and consequences of capitalism. Note, current Russian and Chinese socialism was not what Marx had in mind but not for some of the evangelical types .
Further , Existential philosophy postulated an additional understanding of man's nature. Because , in part of the French Revolution as an example, the idea and notion that God was dead emerged. Furthermore, man's problems for the meaning in his life are increased with his excessive reliance on science and technology for a solution . In capitalism, man becomes a peg , a meaningless number, an insignificant item within the employment of production . Also, because man is irrational, follows false prophets,and becomes herdlike, he becomes inauthentic , Insignificant in his meaningless existence as are some of the evangelicals.
In the 29th century , humanistic psychology based on the writings of Fromm, Horney, Maslow , Rogers ,May , Pearls and others hypothesized man’s ability to reach his human potential . Maslow studied and researched employing in-depth psychology of numerous statesmen, intellectuals, artists,and humanistic individuals . He established a hierarchy of needs and concluded that man could become self-actualized. Self-actualization was the end result of meeting various needs within his model. I would add Murray’s needs such as achievement, affiliation , autonomy, counteraction, deference ,exhibition ,nurturance, play ,sentience ,sex and understanding for reaching optimum growth as well. This emphasis for self actualizing and being in the present also results with better health and well-being. Today we have additional opportunities , such as classes on well-being, fasting retreats, sensory deprivation , yoga , hypnosis, mindfulness etc. for further development and not with so-called “gender” , “homosexual “ sexual conversion counseling.
With that being said, the character flaws ,of many, are represented in various evangelical settings. In fact , there are pastors that follow the teachings of Christ and his prophets ( good) but too many are not (evil). Some pastors are in conflict and intimidated by members of the congregation that are associated and follow a different God , a different Messiah and have difficulty confronting these neurotic types.
The neurotics include individuals that are alienated and inauthentic such as Christian nationalists, white separatists , those with conspiracy beliefs, following a Republican political party based on authoritarianism. They are stuck and according to Maslow with, and not in a state of B-love, which is a love for the other person's Being. Instead, they are characterized by a D-love, which is a deficiency love which is selfish or a neurotic love. Additionally, if Trump becomes "resurrected" from being an ex-president to being reelected, rising from the dead, so to speak, these insurrectionist types would be pardoned, bringing them back to life with freedom before the day of their final judgment.
Issues for division of the pastors have included Covid- 19, to wear or not wear a mask; to hate ,discriminate,lie and disrespect the poor, people of color, race and gender; climate change; banning books ; eliminating CRT ; LGBTQ; being gullible to the lies of political pundits, and social media ; believing in the stolen election nonsense along; supporting other suspicious, non-trusting paranoid individuals with their conspiracy ideas that divide our republic . Perpetuating and pressure to support and vote for an authoritarian and fellow authoritarians in order to overthrow this Democratic Republic; not following the ethics and morality of the teachings of Jesus, but instead joining malicious groups that perpetuate hate and prejudice do not suggest the definition of being an evangelical, but instead being neurotically misguided. These so-called evangelicals claim their religion as being attacked. Instead, they are projecting and practicing using their "religion" as a weapon to control and subjugate others since they believe that power and control will result in fulfilling their pursuit of happiness.
In essence, those evangelicals that do not follow or adhere to Christ and his disciples' humanistic messaging are alienated , inauthentic, with deficiency needs that support narcissistic criminals like Trump ,under the guise of the religion of Christianity. They are a disastrous threat to our Republic. Although we've had threats before, but not with additional A1 tools available for hijacking the Republic , the danger becomes elevated.. At this time , how does someone like Trump contribute to the welfare of many in our society ? A structure of character deficiencies with tendencies for narcissism, lying, stealing, possessing, manipulating, coveting and avoiding consequences may be good for the people of Russia, China, Hungary, and North Korea , but not for those valuing freedom , individuality ,truth and humanistic ideals.
PS
Donald in the eyes of some evangelicals, is unconsciously like Jesus, a son of God. Like Jesus, he was " persecuted" on earth by his enemies. As an ex-president (dead ,without power and 91 indictments ) , he can be resurrected (reelected) and then the apocalypse will follow on his enemies.
Reference
Fromm Erich . The Dogma of Christ .
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