Fear.

Contrary to popular belief the reason for the rigid conservatism of many church-going people is not fear of hell but fear of poverty.

They are so afraid of losing their money that they embrace religious conservatism because the conservative political parties favor the wealthy.

And they claim that this is God's Will.

This harks back to the Divine Right of Kings and the blue-ribbon born-to-rule mentality of the aristocracy.

And it is a form of Prosperity Theology.

Prosperity Theology claims that wealth and success are signs of God's favor and that poverty and disease are punishments from God for sin.

But this is aberrant theology.

The Gospel is supposed to be good news for the poor, not vindication for the rich.

But their fear is so great that they modify their mentality and force their views onto others.

This is part of the reason for the decline of the Church.

Christianity is not political conservatism.  

Christianity is about justice, compassion, and love.

And until the Church realizes this it will continue to decline.

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