The Heart of Real Americans
We still have a choice to resist, reclaim, reimagine and rebuild something better.
Disclaimer: I do not plan to focus fully on political content, however, due to the current state of our nation there may be times when I feel I must do so.
This is one of those times.
Ten years ago, I escaped Fundamental Evangelical Christianity.
Since then, I've sifted through a lot of rubble to find myself.
And, I have no intention of going back.
In short, to witness the rise of Christian Nationalism - especially leading up to the November 2024 Presidential election - fills me with dread.
Before I rose to reason and found the courage to leave all I had ever known in the way of career and community, I was right on the edge of becoming the very thing that now terrifies me…and so many others.
Once a member of the ‘in crowd’, I now stand on the margins as a queer, gender-expansive, agnostic atheist - someone who fits the description of not wanted and no longer welcome here.
Years ago, when I first began the process of religious deconversion and coming to recognize, understand, accept and embrace who I truly am, I was faced with a decision:
Would I spend the rest of my life arguing against the faith I had left or choose to build something better?
At the time, I chose to focus on building something better.
But, the rise of MAGA Republicanism and Christo-fascist Trumpism is, in part, calling me back to the trenches.
This past week, a whirlwind of contrasts hit me so fast I had a hard time writing them all down.
And, although our nation is imperfect in many, many ways, here’s that list (which I am certain is incomplete) for the record of what is unfolding.
For now, we still have a choice to resist, reclaim, reimagine and rebuild something better.
WE MUST DO BETTER.
The question before us all is:
In this moment of history, where will we stand?