Charlie McCrary

@mccraryc.bsky.social

268 Followers 200 Following

I write and teach about US religion, secularism, religious freedom, spirituality, race, politics, etc. I work at Eckerd College. https://www.eckerd.edu/religious-studies/faculty/mccrary/

Without discounting (or taking too seriously) Shea’s feelings, there is something poignant in stating so starkly that when he was not in the majority he “felt completely alone.” In the nation the commission hopes to create, Shea’s rights would not simply be protected; so too would his feelings. The commission wants Americans to be proud of religion, and of religious liberty. Perhaps even more than wanting to feel pride, they want some people not to feel shame. They want anti-sociality without consequent social stigma. As religious studies scholar Donovan Schaefer has written, for some conservatives, “it becomes easier to repudiate shame altogether than respond to the moral demands placed on them.” Following this line of argument, religious studies scholar Finbarr Curtis explains, “Trumpism is the response to the fear that someone somewhere is threatening to take something that is rightfully yours. As a vigorous response to threats, Trump’s illiberalism makes his supporters feel safe.” The message of the commission’s report is that these threats abound, from vaccine mandates and “transgenderism” and “bad actors in the government and within institutions,” but the Department of Justice will protect you. There will be posters reminding everyone to “Know Your Rights.” Your teachers will undergo religious liberty training. If anyone does violate your rights or make you feel unsafe, there will be an online portal where you can report the threat. They will be investigated.
Charles Murray, _Taking Religion Seriously_ Rod Dreher, _Living in Wonder_ Ross Douthat, _Believe_
Person holding a sandwich-board sign with a faux dictionary definition that reads "Dad. noun. a human male who protects his kids from gender ideology."
Tim Heidecker making a funny face, with text "No More Bullsh*t"