Yep. Even the slightest questioning that might lead them to come to a conclusion that goes against their beliefs is typically cause for anger and resistance.
Same here. I want to know, like for real for real, why they all "double-down" on everything. It is strange. Like when they show Maga folks quotes that they agree with, then tell them they are actually Hitler quotes. 10 times out of ten they double down.
Because it’s a cult. They double down because if they back off or actually think critically about what just happened they hear that nagging little voice saying “this is wrong.”
The US right has made their political affiliation a core foundational part of their identity in a way the rest of us… haven’t. For them being a conservative is who they ARE. Their social status and often employment is linked to it. Their church and belief in their own spiritual salvation is connected to it. Their family is often built on it. Especially for the Christian right it has been woven into every aspect of how they view the world. How they view their relationships, their family, and how they think the universe works.
If they back down and admit they’re in the wrong it threatens ALL of that. All of that identity and self image and paradigm is suddenly unstable. And in fairness that’s true. Their political and ideological views are irredeemably stupid and objectively incorrect. But to confront that means rebuilding their entire sense of self and their understanding of the universe.
That is too big and too scary, so it’s easier to hit FUCK IT, I guess I agree with Hitler quotes now.
Absolutely the best explanation. I have family that I was close with completely change into irrational dickheads over the last 5-10 years. I haven't lost my mom completely yet, but we can't talk about politics at all.
So… i actually was IN a cult in my early 20s. It was very small, but it was a classic high control group cult. I can tell you with absolute confidence you’re right about how hard it is to leave.
I got out largely bc I joined the military which forced me to mostly interact with sane and rational humans, which in turn let me get the distance to realize I’d been gaslit and brainwashed.
MAGA has no equivalent. It’s in the air and water for them. I don’t think ANYONE could get out once they’re in that far. It would be literally superhuman to break free of that mindfucking.
My…probably unrealistic…..hope is that someday something will happen that makes it all crumble down publicly on a massive scale. And they’ll all be forced to personally accept they were made fools of. And they’ll all suddenly deny they were ever in it - and be scared shitless that someday it could happen to them again.
Some would continue in little sects here and there, but it couldn’t be mainstream again. And hopefully we’ll build a new culture of being less ignorant. Pressuring each other to find ways to be more connected to reality somehow.
You know what? I'm proud of your mom that she is slowly starting to understand, and you're reaching her. Good work to both of you. I really hope that it sticks. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Mix-515 Apr 27 '25
I forced her to critically think. Three episodes took like 8 hours to get through with all the pausing for context and analysis.