The other day … after learning that Turnip won the Iowa primary because of the Evangelical vote (or so it was reported on the cable news) … I flipped the channel and Inherit the Wind was playing. The original black and white movie, with Spencer Tracy and Frederic March.
If you’ve never seen the movie or play, it’s about small town in Tennessee full of church going folks who believe that the Bible should be taken literally and never questioned. To question “The Word” is to invite the wrath of God and since they are all soldiers in God’s army, they will become His wrath, His mighty sword. So, when high school students begin arriving home with questions about certain aspects of the Genesis story, their parents are outraged. Few have even heard of Darwinism, but they are easily whipped into a frenzy by their holy roller preacher. He convinces them that their children have been exposed to evil by their high school science teacher and now that teacher must die. They must be the wrath of God; His mighty sword. Soon the battle cry of “hang Bert Cates from a sour apple tree” rings through the town as they throw rocks at the jail where the teacher is being held for breaking a law banning the teaching of evolution.
The resulting trial is a farce where all evidence that Darwinism is not a threat to morality is suppressed. Cates is found guilty and fined. But it’s fairly obvious that to lead a normal life, he will have to move far from that town.
What does that movie have to do with the evangelical support for Turnip, you might ask. In the book The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory Tim Alberta writes that evangelists believe God wants the United States to be his kingdom on earth and that they must do everything in their power to make sure that happens, even if it means taking up arms. This belief has been reinforced over the decades by televangelists out to make their own kingdoms on earth … the same snake oil salesmen who convince donors that Jesus Christ wants them to have a private jet like Turnip’s. (So give often and give generously). Apparently all of the seven deadly sins are forgivable as long you’ve taken up the sword and are willing to fight in God’s army.
This explanation makes sense, particularly in remote and isolated communities although it doesn’t make me feel better about future of this country. As Gene Kelly (playing H.L. Mencken*) said: “Darwin was wrong; man is still an ape.”
*H.L. Mencken was the journalist who covered the Scopes (Monkey) Trial upon which Inherit the Wind was based. His acerbic wit is often compared to Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift.
Saying nothing in particular 
More Pogo please. We have met the enemy and he is us.
Yes, I was thinking that very thing. No truer words.
For what it is worth, I, Duke Miller, really love your blog, and commas.
Thank you.
I am sat here with my mouth wide-open .💜💜
I’ve had personal experience with evangelicals and they are frightening.
I have evangelicals in my family and as neighbors. They do try to convert me and I can tell it really hurts them for me to say no thanks. Thank you for explaining what I could never understand–why they would support a person to lead USA who has not one speck of human kindness. I’ve read some articles about the WHY but your blog makes the most sense to me. And I am comforted that I know you ❤
Thanks Cynthia – I think Evangelicals get extra credit points towards heaven if they convert other people. There’s not much you can do except wish them happiness.
Yes indeed I believe you 💜👍
The Crazies shall inherit the Earth.
Apparently all of the seven deadly sins are forgivable as long you’ve taken up the sword and are willing to fight in God’s army.
Yep, you said it. Sad to know this, but we’re seeing it play out in real time.
I’ll never be able to eat turnips again.
The whole thing you have presented here is most disturbing. Although different, cathaholics aren’t any better, with the pedophilia still ongoing.
“Darwin was wrong; man is still an ape.” – luv this apparent truth.
Terrific post,Jan, thank you!
I didn’t mean to insult the turnips of the world but I can’t stand to say or write the man’s name. I’ve always felt that the word is love but the evangelicals seem to believe the word is obedience.
Many others call him turnip.
Interesting….
I just noticed if you spell turnip(s) backwards, it spells PIN RUT – SPIN RUT
Love is the word, the drug, a force, a garden and many other things; but it is not obedience. (or a turnip)
Hi Jan, this is an insightful post. Reminds me a bit of the movie Footloose although that was comparatively mild.
Hi Robbie -some evangelists preach the religion of fear and not the religion of love which certain politicians and con men have exploited for profit.
Yes, I understand
He’s more the color of a rutabaga.
1/2 the world’s population (sometimes I think it’s 2/3’s here) has an IQ < 100. They will not be reasoned with. They will not be led down a rational path. Critical Thinking is a course they banned in H.S. and would love to ban in colleges. For a few decades we had them contained, suppressed and losing their grip on the heart of this country. Then the Incoherent Bloviating Imbecile gave them a voice and the determination to rise again.
Religion is a solely human sickness. For that lower half, the cure is beyond their reach.
I have family members with very high IQs who have been bamboozled by fears and lies to support Turnip. If you want to believe, you can convince yourself of just about anything.