In recent times, the political terrain in the United States has witnessed intriguing shifts. Traditionally, right-wing politics and theism have been close bedfellows, with evangelical Christians and other religious groups often rallying behind conservative candidates. However, as secularization has increased in the US and worldwide, some right-wing strategists seem to be adapting their approach, recalibrating their rhetoric to resonate with this growing demographic by turning to antitheism (which can be considered as 'atheism with an attitude').
Why the turn to antitheism? One plausible explanation is the perceived clash between the egalitarian principles embedded in Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and certain right-wing ideologies. Anti-theist messaging could serve to challenge these egalitarian tendencies, making room for alternative narratives that emphasize the myths of European heritage, the superiority of Western culture, and racial hierarchies.
This shift is not merely a reactionary reflex but possibly a strategic move to broaden the conservative base. By tapping into cultural and racial narratives, right-wing strategists might be aiming to foster a new sense of identity and common cause among potential supporters. This approach provides an alternative avenue for rallying support, independent of religious affiliations.
The evolving right-wing rhetoric can also serve as a counter to progressive movements that champion inclusivity, diversity, and a re-evaluation of traditional narratives.
حال کی سیاستی تبادلوں میں امریکہ کی دائنی سیاست نے بڑھتے ہوئے علمانیت کی بنا پر اپنی راہیں تبدیل کرتے دکھائی ہیں کچھ سیاستدان اینٹی تھائزم کی طرف راغب ہو رہے ہیں (antitheism) اینٹی تھائزم کی طرف مائل ہونا دائنی سیاست کو ابراہیمی مذاہب کے برابری پسند اصولوں کی چنوٹی دینے کی اجازت دیتا ہے، جو مغربی ثقافتی برتری کو اجھارنے والی داستانوں کے لئے راہیں کھولتا ہے۔ مغربی ثقافتی برتری کی کہانیاں اجاگر کرتی ہیں، اور ترقی پسند تحریکوں کا مقابلہ کرتی ہیں جو انفرادیت اور مختلفیت کی حمایت کرتی ہیں
Stephen Colbert interviews Ricky Gervais on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." They engage in a spirited conversation about belief, religion, and atheism. The discussion touches on topics such as knighthood, the existence of the devil, the concept of "nothing," and the role of science in understanding the universe. The conversation concludes with a mention of a Netflix show.
The video features Piers Morgan and author/magician Penn Jillette discussing atheism, religion, and Jillette's new book.
Christopher Hitchens provides a critical perspective on Islam. He discusses the concept of jihad, Sharia law, and the origins of Islam with the Prophet Muhammad. Hitchens challenges the idea of Islam being the last and final revelation and expresses concerns about the religion's potential for violence and intolerance. The video is a short clip that captures Hitchens' views on the topic.
The video titled "Christian Fundamentalism is Cringe | \"I'm proud to be a Le Reddit atheist.\"" features a discussion on Christian fundamentalism, particularly its stance on climate change and the end times. The speaker critically examines the beliefs held by some evangelical Christians, such as the idea that global warming is a sign of the end times as predicted in the Bible. The video also touches on the influence of religious beliefs on political and ethical positions, the history of failed doomsday predictions, and the role of mythology in shaping moral judgments. The speaker expresses pride in being an atheist and critiques the reliance on religious superstitions in forming ethical and political views.
The video titled "Rebranding White Nationalism: Inside Richard Spencer's Alt-Right" offers an in-depth exploration into Richard B. Spencer's ethnocentric worldview and the broader alt-right movement. Captured by Daniel Lombroso, the documentary showcases Spencer addressing an audience in Washington D.C., where he proclaims, "Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!" This declaration was met with fervent cheers and Nazi salutes. The video delves into Spencer's vision of bringing white nationalism to the mainstream, the influence of online platforms in propagating the movement's ideologies, and the alt-right's connection with Donald Trump. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the alt-right's aspirations, recruitment efforts, and perspectives on societal changes. The documentary also touches upon the challenges faced by young white individuals in 21st century America and their experiences in a multicultural society.
The video titled "Hungary, Italy, Sweden and More: A Right Wing Wave Rises in Europe" discusses the evident shift towards conservative or populist forces across Europe. Liberal politics is becoming increasingly unpopular, with rising costs of living, energy inflation, and economic crises driving the rise of right-wing politics. The video highlights the sentiment among many Europeans that sanctions against Russia are adversely affecting their own countries. This has led to waning support for anti-Russia sanctions in nations like France, the Czech Republic, and Germany. The video also touches upon the rise of populist leaders and parties in various European countries, including Sweden, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Italy. The narrative suggests that Europe might soon witness a surge in populism based on current trends.
The video titled "Russia's Far-Right and Populist Connections in Italy and Austria" discusses Russia's historical strategy of exploiting divisions in Europe to safeguard its interests. The 2014 war against Ukraine led to a rare European unity against Russia, resulting in sanctions. In retaliation, Russia fostered ties with far-right European parties. By 2018, Russia's efforts bore fruit in Italy and Austria, where right-wing parties gained power. However, despite Russia's influence and leaked tapes suggesting openness to Russian funding, neither Italy nor Austria took significant steps against the sanctions. The video highlights that while Russia has business ties with Italian and Austrian elites, their foreign policies remain aligned with the West. Moscow benefits from Europe's internal tensions, which reduce pressure on the Putin regime.
The video titled "The rise of the far-right in Germany" delves into the increasing prominence of far-right parties in Germany, especially in Berlin. Despite Germany's thriving economy, anti-immigrant populism is on the rise. The video highlights the mass rallies with neo-Nazi overtones in Chemnitz and smaller marches in Koethen. The anti-immigrant party, AfD, is now the official opposition party in the Bundestag. The video discusses the sentiments of extreme right-wing leaders who believe that the AfD paves the way for their views. It also touches upon the challenges faced by immigrants in Europe, particularly the older generation who struggle with learning the German language. The video concludes by emphasizing the unexpected influence of the refugee issue on German politics, especially with the upcoming regional elections in Bavaria where the AfD is challenging the ruling CSU party.
The video titled "How a new Christian right is changing US politics - BBC News" explores the rise of a new Christian right movement in the United States. This movement, driven by certain pastors and politicians, asserts that the conservative Christian way of life in the country is under threat. The central message is that American society is heading in the wrong direction. The video delves into the impact of this growing movement on US politics, highlighting the belief that Christianity is under attack and that there is a need for God in government. The narrative touches on the influence of this movement in schools, with education being a primary battleground. The video also discusses the rise of Christian nationalism, its association with white Christian nationalism, and its merging with political identities on the right. The narrative suggests that the storming of the Capitol is a testament to the extent to which religious and political identities have converged on the right. The video concludes by emphasizing the potential consequences of this movement on the upcoming midterm elections and the future direction of the country.
The video titled "The Manosphere to Alt-Right Pipeline (we should all be talking about this)" delves into the connection between the manosphere and the alt-right. The manosphere encompasses various online communities, including incels, men's rights activists, and pickup artists. The video discusses how the rhetoric from these communities can easily transition to conspiracy theories, making them prime targets for the alt-right. The narrative touches on the empowerment and validation these groups received during the Trump presidency, leading to events like the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and the storming of the Capitol. The video emphasizes the dangers of online radicalization and the role of the manosphere in this process. It also highlights the challenges faced by men in society, the impact of the patriarchy, and the need for emotional support and connection among men. The video concludes by suggesting solutions to address these issues, such as promoting therapy, vulnerability, and mentorship for young men.
The video titled "The Rise of Far-Right Female Influencers | Decade of Hate" explores the increasing prominence of female figures in far-right movements across Europe and North America. These women have played a pivotal role in reshaping right-wing politics, making it more appealing to a broader audience. The video discusses the rise of female alt-right influencers who use their platforms to promote extremist views. It highlights the success of far-right female politicians such as Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Marine Le Pen in France. The narrative touches on the irony of these influencers criticizing feminism while benefiting from the rights won by feminist pioneers. The video also delves into the impact of events like the sexual assaults in Cologne on New Year's Eve 2015 and how they were used by the far right to amplify anti-immigrant sentiments. The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of recognizing the diverse political views of women and the potential dangers of underestimating their influence in extremist movements.
The video titled "How non-white people are embracing white supremacy ideology" features Katie Phang in conversation with Task Force Butler CEO Kristofer Goldsmith. They discuss the investigation into a mass shooting at a Texas mall, where the shooter's social media profiles revealed hate-filled rants against women and black people, as well as references to neo-Nazi websites. The video delves into the rising trend of non-white individuals pushing a white supremacist ideology. It highlights the misconception that all white nationalists have to be white, pointing out examples of Hispanic white nationalists. The narrative touches on the complexity of Latino identity, the power of algorithms on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and the threat posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly in relation to domestic extremism. The video concludes by discussing the targeting of the veterans, Hispanic, and Black communities by foreign and domestic actors who recognize the importance of these identities.
The video titled "Far-Right Extremists are Infiltrating the US Elections | Decade of Hate" sheds light on the infiltration of the US midterm elections by individuals with links to militias and extremist groups. These individuals, known for their anti-government views, are now standing as independent politicians or becoming official GOP candidates in the 2022 midterms. The video emphasizes that this election is a significant battle for the soul of the Republican Party and American democracy itself. It discusses the links of numerous candidates to far-right groups and the potential implications for the integrity of the electoral system. The video also touches upon the role of former President Donald Trump in undermining the 2020 vote and the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection. The content underscores the shift in the Republican Party towards extremism and the potential threat it poses to democracy. The video suggests that the upcoming election results will determine whether the GOP continues its drift into extremism or returns to a more moderate stance. Produced by VICE, the video offers an in-depth analysis of the current political landscape and the rise of extremism in American politics.