The reactionary movement behind Trump's success is a mortal threat to our democracy, says author Jeff Sharlet. We ignore it at our own peril.

Jeff Sharlet has spent two decades covering the intersection of extreme Christian nationalism and the far-right. In his new book, Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, he gives snapshots of a country rapidly devolving into a Christian fascism state. He captures the rage, the despair, the dislocation, the alienation, the aesthetic of violence, and the magical thinking that are the foundations of all fascist movements—forces that are now coalescing around the Trump-led Republican Party. The bizarre conspiracy theories and buffoonish quality of many who lead and embrace this movement, such as Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, make the use American fascists easy to ridicule and dismiss. But Sharlet implores us to take them seriously as an existential threat to what is left of our anemic democracy. Jeff Sharlet joins The Chris Hedges Report to discuss his new book and the rising tide of Christofascism threatening our democracy.

Video: https://yewtu.be/watch?v=JtrkSeTOv7g

    • m_r_butts@kbin.social
      192·
      1 year ago

      I appreciate that this has been happening for a long time, and it’s really steamrolling now, but the Satanic Temple is still recognized by the IRS and federal court system. We’re not at the endgame yet.

  • tacosanonymous@lemm.eeEnglish
    211·
    1 year ago

    I think, no. But the ones who want that are really adamant. They’re super pissed at the nominal progress we’ve made and they’re lashing out in their death throes.
    They’ll make life unbearable for a lot of people but then they’ll be gone and we’ll go back to the regular end game capitalism.

    • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      1 year ago

      They’re no more in their death throes than they were the last time they attempted a fascist coup. Smedly Butler exposed them then. January 6th they were so emboldened the broadcast and did it in the open. Only failing due to incompetence. The next time, and there will be one could be much sooner than you think. And might be successful.

  • PeepinGoodArgs@reddthat.comEnglish
    18·
    1 year ago

    Yo! That’s really interesting! The idea of fascism as serving emotional needs isn’t something that I’ve thought of before. In contrast, where he says they’re being invited to inhabit a gnostic worldview, that’s how I understand fascism, as a type of rhetorical discourse. But the relationship between their emotional needs and the rhetoric that satisfies those needs…that connection I hadn’t made before.

    Also, these people are fucking insane.

  • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
    187·
    1 year ago

    Liberals: “Fascism is HERE!”

    Yes it is, no doubt. The Christo-fascists are getting bolder by the minute.

    Liberals: “Give up your guns!”

    I… don’t think I will.

    • unphazed@lemmy.world
      62·
      1 year ago

      I think we need better gun laws, like real background checks, limits per sale (no one buys more than two usually unless they got plans), etc.

      • sugar_in_your_tea
        1·
        1 year ago

        real background checks

        That’s a thing in many states already, and it’s absolutely a thing if you want a concealed carry permit.

        limits per sale

        That sounds terrible. What if I want to take my kids shooting and need to pick up 3-4 guns? I don’t currently have any guns because I’m worried about them finding and playing with them, but when I feel comfortable, I’ll probably but a few at once.

        The problem is that many (most?) mass shootings and homicides use stolen or otherwise illegal guns (e.g. shootings by felons who aren’t allowed to have guns). So increasing restrictions on legal gun owners is highly unlikely to actually reduce gun crime.

        From my perspective, many of these mass shootings happen because guns aren’t properly secured. Kids shooting up schools take them from parents. Gang members often steal them from houses. And requiring people to plan ahead by unlocking a safe could be the difference between someone dealing with mental issues choosing to shoot vs getting help (it certainly helps with suicides).

        So my proposal is to require registration and proof of secure storage. That can be proven by either a police visit or a visit from a registered gun store. You can have as many guns as you want, provided they are all stored properly.

        • unphazed@lemmy.world
          2·
          1 year ago

          I just have a gun safe… one that desperately needs a digital lock. I can’t even use it until attempting a 6th or 7th time. I have one 14g that sit out unloaded for varmints… or defense if needed.

    • deeply_moving_queef@lemmy.ml
      5·
      1 year ago

      Wow, saying nothing of the politics at the time (of which I’m largely ignorant), that turned out to be very prescient indeed.