Christian extremists are one of my problems, so it logically follows that the billboard itself is one of my problems. How is Jesus gonna answer that?
And if logic doesn’t apply, then that’s also one of my problems. So, Jesus, what have you got to say for yourself?
Let’s talk seriously about this for a moment. What is the purpose for these billboards, yard signs, Jesus fish car emblems, etc? It’s not like I’m gonna pass by “JESUS IS LORD” spraypainted on the side of a barn on a country road and go “WELL FUCK, THAT’S IT, I’M CHRISTIAN!”
There is exactly one purpose and two effects. The purpose is to create an “in group” and an “out group,” and you know damned well which one you’re in. The effects are virtue signalling to the in group, and implicitly threatening the out group - and everyone (regardless of group) knows this, even if they’re not able to put the knowledge into words.
Assuming the high end of a rural area about $2000: That’s groceries for 4 carefully budgeting 4-member families for a month. I’d ask them what they’d do if they didn’t have to worry about groceries this month.
You have to multiply that by a lot of billboards because it’s not restricted to one.
So Jesus is going to change my flat tire that blew out next to that sign?
Why are Christian extremists trying to turn my country into a fascist theocracy?
Answer: Jesus
I’d say the answer is conservatism. They would embrace whatever religion is convenient to achieve their goals. Hence Muslim fascist theocracies existing.
I’m not excusing Christianity for 2000 years of atrocities, I’m just not blaming Jesus for it because frankly, the Jesus character in the Bible is fictional whether or not a ‘real’ Jesus existed, so it would be like blaming God. Or Zeus. Or even Huckleberry Finn.