Comment of the Week: Competing for Converts & Business

Sometimes it seems as though conservative Christian attacks on gays, atheists, pagans, and other minorities has been increasing both in amount and ferocity in recent years. Perhaps this is just a subjective impression that wouldn't be supported by empirical data, but if it is at all true then what might be driving it? Why would conservative Christians be so vociferous in their attacks in minorities who have relatively little political, social, or cultural power and who at most simply demand equality alongside traditionally privileged social groups?

Paul writes:

I have been teaching science in the public schools for the past 5 years, and I can safely say that there are no children anywhere who are not aware of the massive presence of religion in the air they breathe and the sports drinks they drink. Religions have no need to accost children at school - they have so much of this country so well indoctrinated already.

My suspicion is that they make so much noise about atheists and homosexuals because they are competing with each other for converts to their specific denominations, more so than trying to win over sinners to Jesus. There's a lot money to be made in the church business, but it doesn't go to your church in if people convert to a different sect.

[original post]

It isn't hard to argue that these groups are being attacked precisely because they want and are getting equality: conservative Christians are seeing their traditions, institutions, and beliefs receiving fewer traditional privileges and it strikes them as fundamentally unfair that they aren't being treated as so special and important anymore. Indeed, it's not hard to find instances where precisely that seems to be behind individual complaints and attacks.

It also isn't hard to argue that conservative Christians are using these minorities as scapegoats, just a they once used Jews. Whenever their are social, cultural, or political problems, it's common for the powerful to find minorities to blame. It's useful to focus people's anger somewhere other than towards those in charge and the minorities can't easily defend themselves anyway. It's probably no coincidence that some of the attacks on atheists, gays, and pagans are worded very closely to older attacks on Jews.

Paul's idea here may have some merit as well. There is a lot more religious competition in America than there is in most other nations and there is a limited supply of "customers." Getting people excited about a product is a tried and true method of attracting attention, increasing brand recognition, and promoting brand loyalty. There is also lots and lots of evidence of church leaders — including conservative church leaders — drawing on the lessons from marketing and economics in order to find ways to bring more people into the pews.