The French philosopher Rene Girard describes what he calls the scapegoating mechanism.
This is the psychological phenomenon by which people externalize all evil onto a scapegoat - often a vulnerable minority group.
This creates a sense of moral purity and superiority.
He says that people then persecute and victimize the scapegoat.
Many people have made gays and lesbians the locale of all evil in order to feel morally pure and good.
This despite their own attitudes and behavior.
Right-wing political forces have used this deliberately to gain political power.
It is based on prejudice.
And it functions like a switch.
But it breaks down in the end.
And the scapegoat is vindicated.
Photo Credit: bigthink.com
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