I was in a discussion group recently where the topic was controversial opinions we hold. One woman, a conservative Christian, said her most controversial opinion was her belief in God. I pointed out that the vast majority of Americans believe in God and it's virtually impossible for an avowed atheist or agnostic to be elected to high office in this country. She responded that in her personal life she can't be open about her religious beliefs. (This was Lancaster County, PA, famous for its religious heritage and conservative politics.)
This feeling of grievance among conservative Christians helps account for their overwhelming support for Trump. But where does it come from? How can such a powerful group feel so oppressed?
It is part of the Christian lexicon. From your earliest age in Christian churches you hear about how Christian were maligned and fed to the lions etc. etc. While it is of course not true in today's America, they just believe it to be so, so it must be so.
AND...don't forget that they get heavenly brownie points for being oppressed! Jesus promised them they'd be maligned for his sake. They love, love, LOVE martyrdom!
It's their favorite hobby. They love feeling oppressed. We are oppressing them right now, by not letting them force their beliefs on us!
They feel oppressed because they have been told to feel oppressed. A number of their prejudices, which were common in our culture, is being removed from society. Homosexuals can now be open and marry. Pot is becoming legal in many states (if not eventually nation wide.) Muslims are becoming more common. Add to this, the fact that the Republicans figured out, during the Bush era, that catering to their fears can get politicians elected. They are also loosing ground in the culture in general. Once, they could easily impose their values on others, but bit by bit they are loosing that power. It's not that they are oppressed, but they no long have the power to oppress others with their values.
Republican pandering to the conservative Christian fears began much earlier than Bush. Remember Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority in the Reagan era?
Because even being stupid should be a constitutional right. And it is.
Oppressors feel oppressed when they can't control and manipulate others. This is also common among Narcissists and Borderlines.
Almost all rural areas are filled with conservative religious groups. Like the Amish. Most of these areas cling to their religious beliefs like a dog holding a bone. GUNS GOD and GAYS. That's the only thing that matter to these people, that is why DT is in the WH.
I think part of it is that according to statistics 50% of the worlds Christians are Catholic but here in the majority are not. I think another part of it is that they can't and/or don't want to visualize/understand the reality of their wanting infinite growth on a finite planet.