No Sympathy for the Devil

Protestant fundamentalists in the United States have always needed scapegoats, physical manifestations of evil that could be used to terrify and motivate the faithful. In the good old days, witches served the purpose well. In these comparatively more reasonable times, less supernatural targets were needed. Communists, feminists, blacks, and liberals in general have served this role at various times. Over the last decade, a new scapegoat has emerged as a potent symbol of Satan’s power: gays and lesbians. An easier target could hardly be imagined: homosexuals comprise less than 5% of the population, and hold even less political power than African-Americans. The Southern Poverty Law Center has issued an excellent report on the subject. I recommend reading it if you would like try to understand the mindset of a person who considers the private sex lives of American citizens to be a threat to the survival of the republic.