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Salon
Salon
Politics
Nathaniel Manderson

Can the evangelicals save themselves?

In my own personal life, I have an aversion to accepting advice and even to human touch. I react in similar ways to both of these expressions. If someone touches my arm, intending only kindness, I tend to scratch it off, as was observed by a past partner.  If someone pushes their advice into my life, I often do the same: Scratch it off. Another friend once told me that the only way to get me not to jump in a puddle was to tell me to jump into it. At age 47, I'm not much involved with jumping into puddles — but if someone told me not to do it I must admit I probably would.  

Dealing with this element of my own intimate human experience can help explain the love affair between Donald Trump and American evangelicals. Trump is the "bad boy" that many liberals have been warning Christians about — and now, the more dangerous he seems. the more they like him.  

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