The Real Reason for Trump’s Victory but with Hope

Last updated on: November 6, 2024 at 11:40 am by Julie Nichols

The Real Reason for Trump’s Victory but with Hope 2024-11-06T11:40:49-06:00 Julie Nichols

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I think I need to post both realistic and yet encouraging words today. The re-election of Donald Trump was a shocking surprise to many of us, for I thought maybe Russia interfered with such an elevated win. Then this morning, I watched a video from Morning Joe on MSNBC. The data from 2016, 2020, and 2024 revealed an arching reality that none of us could have prevented. Across every racial demographic, there was an increase of men in White, Hispanic, and Black groups and also an increase in supportive white women electing Donald Trump, not mostly for his policies or what he promised to do but for stoking fear and hatred of “the other” into his base to embolden these traits within themselves. And for much of the male base is the hatred of women and the desire to be in control of them which is the unchecked power of the patriarchy. If I didn’t have experience with the most powerful patriarchy in the world (the hierarchy of the Catholic Church) and living in Texas all of my life, I wouldn’t understand this. Some good people voted for Trump strictly for policy reasons, but I think even more voted for him out of fear and hatred of “the other,” for Trump to be their avatar of revenge.

Anyone who has known me for some time understands that I come from a conservative religious, political, and cultural background. For me to agree with these claims means I must have overt and even threatening experiences with hateful and threatening misogyny, and thankfully none of it comes from my husband of 30 years or my children.

Since I mentioned the bad news, I will now mention the good. We may think we have a Project 2025 playbook of what will happen, but many things are a “what if” right now. We simply don’t know exactly what will happen. Almost half the USA fought against a fascist ticket and takeover tooth-and-nail or just voted Republican over historic “conservative policy.” That means that half the nation we know are people of goodwill. I started publications and podcasts against right-winged fascism in 2018 and haven’t stopped since. There are many like me, both religious and non-religious, who haven’t been afraid to speak out.

So although there appears to be nothing but doom right now, half the country cares for humanity and wants everyone to have equal opportunities and freedoms. Let’s band together and not give up. Let’s be alert and make necessary plans but not give up hope. Much of the far right thinks God is on their side, but some of them will wake up and discover that God will actually stand with who Jesus called, “the least of these,” the ones who are most vulnerable regardless of their beliefs, not the religious elite, the Pharisees, and the gatekeepers.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

November 1, 2024

Religious Families Who Defy the Christian Nationalist Mold

Next Post

November 26, 2024 Bible Curriculum as a Paid Incentive in Texas Public Schools

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 April 2026 March 2026 January 2026 December 2025 July 2025 May 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz