Not in it for the long haul: understanding America as an end times project

Unfortunately JD Vance opened his mouth recently. More unfortunately, his soundbites are actually instructive in understanding key, core aspects of the American social and political identity.

So let's talk about the unique history of American religiosity in general, the specifically American offshoots of Protestantism in particular, and even throw in some musings on Dolly Parton for good measure.

Whether you are a believer or not - and to be clear, I'm not - it's important to understand how religion has impacted and steered American self-concept from the jump.

Because to understand why America is...like this...religious belief is a key element to the social and psychological puzzle.