Myself and many others have written multiple articles defining the reasons for the implosion of the Republican Party. There are many, and they all have a measure of validity for its demise. It has failed to address the problem of demographics; it has ineffectual leadership; it allowed extremists to take control of the party; it created gridlock and angered all of the American people; its failures created “Trumpenstein,” the evil which is now the party’s standard bearer.

Because the GOP has lost additional support of most demographics, its support is limited. Rich, old white men continue to be its ‘base,’ but one other group is closely behind in their support of Republican politicians.

The Christian religious right is the Republican Party’s second largest voting bloc. In a direct violation of the first amendment, the GOP has allowed this group of religious extremists to influence American politics, and actions taken by our government.

Let’s set some things straight; the Christian religious right is not Christian, and neither are the politicians who claim to be devout followers of Jesus Christ. The organization is a large cult who seeks control over other men through falsehoods and inaccurate references to the largest book of fairy tales every written; the Bible.

When I was a younger man, and believed in fantasy, I read the bible. I have no doubt that Jesus Christ was a good man who truly believed in his teachings. Believing that he was the “Son of God” is a little difficult. That said, I know that Christ’s instructions to his followers were pure and offered no advantage to him personally. I also know that those who claim to believe in him today, do not believe in what he preached.

The truth of this story is that religion has no place in our government. Issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage would not be political if the Republican Party had not realized that they could control voters with the use of religious fanaticism and by misleading the members of a very large cult.

With only a couple of exceptions, our founding fathers denounced organized religion. They found no use for it because they were intelligent and believed in themselves and their own conscious and ability to make decisions based on fact and not tales from a child’s story book. They did not feel the need to be told how to live their daily lives by a man standing behind a pulpit who was only satisfying his own ambitions.

The laws of the United States, as described in the Constitution, were made by men, not by a god. If you choose to place the words of the Bible before the Law of the Land, you must not be involved in American politics. During his lost campaign, Senator Ted Cruz admitted that he was unqualified to become the leader of our nation when he made just such a statement.

I am one of more than 65 million Americans who refuse to align ourselves with a cult; and our numbers are growing. I do not want a religion controlling my life.

Christian leaders are desperate; they are not receiving new members in the United States. Those who are either atheists or agnostics are the largest number of new Americans, followed by converts to Islam.

The Republican Party is fully supported by those who call themselves “Christians,” and they support their desperation in turn.

Accept the truth; our nation was founded on anti-religion, not pro-religious belief; and it must remain that way if our country is to survive.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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