Why are the fundamentalist/conservative religions gaining ground in this nation at the expense of the others?

Question

I don't want doctrine...I want political, or socio-economic reasons.

Answer 1

As a Christian who doesnt follow everyting they do or say, I think I can give the answer. Many Christians see how much this nation is changing and fast. We see a lot of stuff we dont agree with (aborition, sex everywhere, and gay marriage, seperation of church and state , and new religions popping up everywhere) and were afraid. Some go to the politican who talks that good talk about this but are really deceiving them (guy in the white house) . But sometimes when you see society change around you so fast and it goes against your morales and beliefs, well some folks will go with what sounds good instead of investigating it themselves and finding the truth behind it

Answer 2

It's part of the developing seige mentality our leaders are cultivating. By portraying other cultures, religions, economic systems, etc. as dangerous enemies, they create anxiety. They also remove any effective tools to cope with the fear, leaving people with no option but to trust in simplistic answers and powerful leadership.

This feeling of helplessness and danger makes diplomacy, understanding and cooperation look like unaffordable luxuries. Keeping a simple, us-vs-them mindset, investing all one's faith in a single-minded, super-powered "big brother" is the most self-reassuring action a hopeless population can do.

Fundamentalism feeds into that attitude. An omniscient, omnipotent deity knows what's good for us and should never be questioned. Any who oppose him (us) must be evildoers. Savvy political leaders love to exploit the parallels. It makes running the country so much simpler when the people hand you a blank check.

Answer 3

They flourish where there is ignorance - America is in the grip of a steep and long term dumbing down while the education compared to systems overseas gets worse and worse. I find it shocking and despicable that American leaders would sell out their own people.

Still groups which really have nothing to offer tend to try and preserve belief and loyalty in them by reducing the options to their followers and ignorance is one of the surest ways to do that. Keep the populous docile and ignorant and you can get away with anything.

The forefathers would be spinning in their graves if they knew what was going on.

Answer 4

People are weak minded, and if small minorities speak out agianst the growing mob of christians, they get silenced because there are so many christians and so few non christians, its all about mob mentality. It has to do with education too, I dont know much about it but something called no child left behind, which coincides with the name of a certian end times book series.

Answer 5

Lack of education.
Loss of faith in the system of government and political process in general.
Not willing to expend the effort on trying to understand complex issues. With so much to worry about (bills, kids, debt, health costs, crime, etc etc) people are feeling overwhelmed and find it difficult to mull over rational solutions. Its too much work, too much time, too much headache. Fundy religion simplifies everything to black/white, do this only, never do that...in other words: Don't Think.

Answer 6

Look at the education system. There are actually people graduating from high school that think evolution teaches that we came from monkeys. That should tell you why right there. Ignorance breeds this kind of thing.

Answer 7

Because people are getting lazier and lazier. Fundamentalist religions do all of your thinking for you, so people go over to them because it's easier.

Answer 8

Because we are standing behind what the Bible tells us to and the Lord.