The media’s sustained illusion of political and religious polarization in the United States
One of the most discussed topics regarding US politics is the polarization of its two main political parties and their religious affiliations. The Democratic party is often said to be the “atheist” party, while the Republican party is said to be the “Christian” party. Based on my experience of reaching out to media outlets and political-oriented groups as an atheist Republican, however, this polarization appears to be a sustained illusion to stimulate conflict and maintain a desired narrative.
I’ve been managing the organization Republican Atheists for nearly three years, the first organization representing atheist Republicans. I have reached out to dozens of media outlets, everything from mainstream national channels to independent podcasters with mid-size following to hole-in-the-wall bloggers. These outlets have all kinds of angles, from conservative to Republican to atheist to feminist. The vast majority have never responded to my interview offers.
The more I’ve studied various political-oriented media outlets to gain an understanding of why they have ignored my offers, the more I’ve acknowledged they are generally focused on sustaining an illusion of religious and political polarization in the United States to cater to their following and create buzz. Atheist outlets are built on demonizing the Republican party as the “religious right” and “Christian nationalists,” while conservative outlets want to maintain a general image of adhering to religious principles.
Unfortunately this illusion continues to limit Americans’ understanding of religious and non-religious communities in the United States and how they relate to politics. The next time you hear an atheist organization post about “Christian nationalists” in the Republican party, acknowledge that that organization likely ignored my emails introducing Republican Atheists. The next time you hear a conservative podcaster generalize atheists as “liberals,” realize he or she likely ignored my email offering to do an interview about the growing conservative atheist community in the US. This polarization trickles down to common citizens who mimic news anchors and podcasters in everyday conversations about the political parties and religion.
I will continue to reach out to media outlets and let them know about the organization Republican Atheists as it continues to grow. Either way, the organization is becoming more established across the country and is gaining a larger online following over time. Eventually there will be media outlets that will take interest in sharing the organization with their following. We actually have been covered by a number of small scale podcasters, which can be viewed here, but of course, the more the merrier.
On a final note, if you would like to see the non-religious sector of the Republican party more recognized by the public, I encourage you to message media outlets and podcasters yourself to recommend that they share the organization Republican Atheists with their following. While I have taken the time to message media outlets, I understand they may look at the organization and think one person requesting an interview is not worthy of coverage. The more people who draw attention to the organization, though, the more likely media outlets will take interest in covering it.
Lauren Ell is President and Founder of Republican Atheists. She is a business owner, consultant, marketer and communications strategist. Contact Lauren Ell here. Follow Lauren Ell on Facebook and Twitter.
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