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Glenn Greenwald, though reasoned in his column, does not consider the effect that conservative evangelical doctrine has on one's world view. When confronted with a choice between "the Word of God" and contradictory scientific evidence, the conservative evangelical will always choose the Word of God.
The biblical text admonishes true believers to "walk by faith and not by sight," thereby creating a different reality for the believer, one rooted in his or her faith and evangelical indoctrination. This indoctrination is based on the strict interpretation of the biblical text as inerrant.
Americans may indeed vote for the McCain-Palin ticket solely on their belief that Ms. Palin represents their world view. It isn't because they are stupid but because they were taught to cling to their biblical truths and fight against the "powers and principalities" that wage war against the faithful.
I know how the conservative evangelical believers think. I was one. I was an ordained pastor in the Assemblies of God. If their theological teachings remain faithful to their doctrine, the believers would be charged with heresy for voting for the Obama-Biden ticket. Their commitment to Christ demands that they uphold biblical values in their votes.
Despite the unpopularity of the current resident of the White House, true believers are sure that he occupies that office because it was the will of God. Progressives know they were duped but how can one argue against personal faith? One believes what one believes.
In a time of moral ambiguity, such as the one we now live in, true believers will draw even closer to their faith and the teachings of their churches. It is, after all, the way they define their lives and very existence in this material world.
