# Michael Flynn's Shining City on the Hill - For Christians Only **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 15, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397 "2021-11-15T16:09:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/161 "2021-12-02T04:00:00Z")
Well, now you’re talking about it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/162 "2021-12-02T04:20:46Z")
As are you, now, which makes three so far. OMG, this is spreading like wildfire! ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/163 "2021-12-02T04:42:00Z")
I didn’t believe it at first, but now that I’m seeing it on my screen, it must be true! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/164 "2021-12-02T04:59:23Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > > [@DocCathode](#): > > > > I am aware that many American Christians are diehard supporters of Israel. This is not because they love or care about Jews. This is because in their eschatological view, Israel must exist and at least a majority of Jews must gather there before the Second Coming can happen. > > I think that the eschatological motivation for supporting Israel is probably a quite small minority view among conservative Christians. Its a bit to obscure to be mainstream and if it were the primary motivation you would hear more pandering towards it. I agree it’s not the only reason, but I think you overly minimize it here. It would not surprise me at all if it was a majority of Republican Christians, because that groups is predominantly the exact group that has these beliefs. The predominant view of Revelation in Evangelical and Fundamentalist circles very much requires Israel to exist before Armageddon. And, while it’s possible that doesn’t quite reach to a majority of the Religious Right, it’s definitely not all that fringe. As for pandering towards it? That’s usually done in the pulpit. I suspect that politicians don’t want to alienate people who don’t subscribe to that sort of thing. Even if they were a majority, you wouldn’t want to scare off the 40%, let alone the rest of the Republican base. It’s one quiet part they’ve not quite said out loud yet. The appeals to the crazies still use full on antisemitism instead. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/165 "2021-12-02T05:34:46Z")
Fuck it. Make there be only one religion: Scientology. That’ll leave everyone equally pissed. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/166 "2021-12-02T06:51:28Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > As are you, now, which makes three so far. OMG, this is spreading like wildfire! See? Many people. (For those missing my extremely hilarious joke, our armchair warrior thinks that Wiccans are drug-addled sorcerers and the cause of modern America’s woes.) > [@"America was founded as a Christian nation," a guest preacher at my church claimed. Please help me dispute that](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-was-founded-as-a-christian-nation-a-guest-preacher-at-my-church-claimed-please-help-me-dispute-that/954769/59): > > [Definition of Sorcery](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sorcery) Narcotics addiction, Wicca, Occult Practices, Church of Satan, Use of the media to scare the daylights out of young people. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/167 "2021-12-02T07:25:55Z")
Why would the Scientologists be pissed? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/168 "2021-12-02T07:31:02Z")
I was surprised he didn’t pull out this often misunderstood verse; > For rebellion _is as_ the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness _is as_ iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from _being_ king (1 Samuel 15:23 KJV). This is often quoted as “disobedience is the sin of witchcraft,” and used to imply that kids who disobey their parents are witches. And not about God rejecting Saul for his refusal to obey His commands. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/169 "2021-12-02T07:46:16Z")
Because a good number of the new members would _really_ lower the bar as far as profitability and gullibility are concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/170 "2021-12-02T09:45:05Z")
Bigger pool = bigger pool of money and gullibles ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/171 "2021-12-02T10:04:47Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > Many people are saying that Trump is a Wiccan. Don’t insult Wiccans like that ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/172 "2021-12-02T10:08:22Z")
> [@webwarrior](#): > > Trump Derangement Syndrome on parade. Translation: “I can’t actually prove you wrong, so I’m just going to pretend you are and that I’m winning.” Pigeon chess! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/173 "2021-12-02T10:11:30Z")
> [@webwarrior](#): > > Broomstick, much as it pains me to say it, I’m afraid many Trumpists have come to the seeming unavoidable conclusion that we will have to go it wiothout you. Since you’ve already decided I’m a non-person not worthy of being a citizen of the nation in which I was born why ever would I want to go anywhere with you? I’m just wondering what county you’ll try to deport me to, given that my family has lived here four generations. And then what comes next. What’s left of my father’s family remembers what happens when citizens are made into non-citizens. > [@webwarrior](#): > > Are you keeping up with what is going on with the Independents, the majority of whom are moderate left of center? Why do you assume I am NOT an independent? My, my, my you are making assumptions. Of course, your lot is very much “not 100% with us you’re the enemy”. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/174 "2021-12-02T13:00:49Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > It’s not Flynn specifically that worries me, it’s that there’s such a large audience for this particular grift. Flynn’s keeping them primed and agitated, so that when someone with a plan does show up, they’re ready to fall in line behind him. I agree with this. I’m sure Flynn would be quite amused to think he had a hand in banning non-Christian religions (at least Islam). But like most top-level Trump grifters he’s an absolute nihilist. He’s agitating the base, putting them in a dangerous state, but he doesn’t really care what they do (except that they keep sending donations). The dangerous part is that the base _wants_ to get riled up. They _want_ someone to give them an excuse to do something, to go full Kristallnacht. So we have a relationship where a certain political faction pays demagogues money to drive them out of their minds with fear, rage, and lust for power. That feedback loop is scarier than any individual actor in it. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/175 "2021-12-02T14:24:36Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Genius! We’re through the looking glass here, people. Are you in the pocket of Big Glass? ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/176 "2021-12-02T18:55:41Z")
Force of habit. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/177 "2021-12-02T20:45:38Z")
That would be a great name for a convent weightlifting team. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/178 "2021-12-02T21:15:59Z")
This is a real shirt. [![](https://i.etsystatic.com/12802886/r/il/90b422/2643954116/il_794xN.2643954116_2exo.jpg) ](https://i.etsystatic.com/12802886/r/il/90b422/2643954116/il_794xN.2643954116_2exo.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/179 "2021-12-02T21:45:17Z")
If we had to pick one, I think I could get behind (or at least not mind too much) Unitarian Universalist being the state religion. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2021, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397/180 "2021-12-02T22:08:37Z")
Doesn’t hate the “sinner” (_i.e._, anyone who doesn’t agree with them) enough to suit the knuckle-dragging fundies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynns-shining-city-on-the-hill-for-christians-only/954397.md?page=10)