Discernment is Unacceptable in Authoritarianism

Sadly, the so-called "culture war" has invaded my neighborhood. The events of recent months - and especially recent weeks - haven't divided us, they're only magnified why we're divided. 

It comes down to acceptance of The Big Lies. By definition, authoritarianism works when a large enough number of followers knowingly accepts the lies of the leader and then disbelieves all others. So when an authoritarian leader, immediately following the November election, declares to his followers that they cannot trust the Vice President, the Attorney General, the Supreme Court, dozens of Republican-appointed judges, Republican governors and secretaries of state -- and those are just the Republicans! -- an insurrection can be both shocking and unsurprising at the same time. 

And that, sadly, is why relationships with family members and friends are now fractured. For weeks I've tried to come to terms with how to interact with neighbors and family members who hold these beliefs: 

1. The former president is deserving of our loyalty. 
2. The election was fraudulent and should be overturned. 
3. The COVID virus is a hoax. 
4. The Capitol insurrection was justified. 

These are just the main beliefs of staunch supporters of the former president. There are more (including the neighbor who "reported" to me that his "news source" said the Capitol incident was fake and that it didn't actually happen). 

Some of these previously friendly people try to claim that they believe in some, but not all, of the Top 4 Big Lies. What I can't come to terms with is that if #1 is a belief, then you're accepting the others. I shake my head at the hypocrisy of on one hand buying into the "virus hoax" narrative and at the same time eagerly awaiting your vaccine so you can travel to your second home. 

So I'll keep praying (because I'm also a Christian and I also happen to vote) that we'll return to our sensibilities and that actual Republicans will ultimately prevail.