@Timjer #101795
Agreed. There needs to be a way to put the kibosh on this mess. All these articles about how hard it is to de-convert and the differences between Right-Wing-leaning and Left-Wing-leaning brains can be disconcerting.
One thing’s for sure, the problem is less about the belief and more about the fears, concerns and such that the beliefs supposedly address.
There needs to be a counter-balance to address the emotional, mental, economic and social issues that lead people into believing this stuff. People want answers, and when reasonable people fail to provide answers, people will flock to the weirdo who claims to have the answers.
For example, in Brazil, there was a lot of corruption and ineptitude in the administration that preceded Bolonosaro, but there were no Progressive-minded people who stood up and became candidates while effectively claiming to address the issues. Then a nut came up named Bolonosaro emerged and filled that role, but he was clearly a hateful nut. However, the Brazilians, living under the need for certainty and “The Devil You Know” voted for this guy because they liked some of his solutions even if it was surrounded by garbage.
People don’t vote for vagueness. This is also what hindered Corbyn in Britain, he couldn’t say for sure whenever he was for or against Brexit and he either came off as too radical or too vague. There were also rumors that he may not have been as enlightened when it came to Jews or certain other ethnicities, and Corbyn never bothered to dispel anything in a concrete, effective way. Thus, people went with Johnson because they knew what they’d get with him, even if it was stupid…
… Then there’s a simple fact that a lot of folks aren’t into politics, don’t believe they can change things for the better, and don’t bother to vote. Britain is too awash in hyper-cynicism and pessimism, add legions of old VERY English pensioners weirded out by people with brown skin who definitely DO vote, and you end up with Boris. Also, I doubt the people vote for the prime minister, but they do vote for the MPs, so the mess may be less about Johnson or Corbyn personally.
… To Brits on this board, if a Yank like me is wrong on any of the above, please correct and enlighten me, and I’ll understand.
The point is, people want answers to their issues and if nobody bothers to try to give those answers then the weirdos will take that role. Likewise, leaders should be strait-forward in everything and all rumors, slander, libel, misconceptions, etc. need to be answered and debunked.
The Hippie Movement and the Left around 1969 - 1970 should have come out in force decrying the Manson Family and did all they could to show that they weren’t something to fear. They should have done all they could to disassociate from the crazier elements and mass-murdering pretenders. Instead, they let the media and the govt. control the narrative.
There are plenty of Muslims decrying IslamoFascism and IslamoTerrorism, but they need to be heard. Yes, I know the media tends to ignore them, but that’s where fundraising, persistence and other media come in.
Liberal, Moderate and reasonable people of faith and politics need to make themselves heard, open up YouTube channels, create websites, etc. We need a counter-voice. We need Anti-Hate Sites and Anti-Hate Group subcultures and Anti-Hate music. Having just SPLC or ADL floating around isn’t enough. We need to copy and counter.
Finally, steer people to who is really at fault; The corrupt wealthy and powerful, not the non-whites, LGBTQs, Muslims, the poor or whatever.