The Modern Puritans

"The thought occurs to me that politically, the Left is the modern Puritans - they want to live life their own way and make sure everyone else does, too." - Donald Sensing

I have been struck by the reaction of the Left after the election in blaming their loss on rampant homophobia and right-wing religious zealotry. They are, in large measure, accusing the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy of wanting to create a Fundamentalist Christian Theocracy, and I was reminded, ironically enough, of the Reverend Donald Sensing's comment quoted above.

I was reminded of it because the Left seems to me to be exhibiting its repeated tendency towards psychological projection, defined as:

A defense mechanism in which the individual attributes to other people impulses and traits that he himself has but cannot accept. It is especially likely to occur when the person lacks insight into his own impulses and traits.

The externalisation of internal unconscious wishes, desires or emotions on to other people. The individual perceives in others the motive he denies having himself. Thus the cheat is sure that everyone else is dishonest. The would-be adulterer accuses his wife of infidelity.

And the closeted Puritan is convinced that the world wants to impose an alien theocracy upon him.