... a purpose...

Religion - most surely the opiate of the people when hand-in-glove with politics; and when hasn't it been?

Good query, Josh... and since you ask... the ''Religious Right'' was the brain child of a theologian named Francis Schaeffer, who knew Billy Graham and moved to US in the 1960's and instructed the 'establishment' on how to create a voting block with conservative Christianity.
His son, Frank Schaeffer wrote a book explaing it all called, ''Why I am an Atheist Who Believes in God: How to give love, create beauty and find peace''
It's a fascinating read...who knew...? if I believed in Christianity, I would think Francis Senior the Devil Incarnate, or the antichrist, perhaps...he fucked things up something fierce. Aughhh! Ely

Interesting, there's a Francis A.Schaeffer theologian, born in USA who went to live in Switzerland and founded the L'Abri communities. He had 4 children, one was Frank. Bit confusing if it's the same guy. Religion should stay out of organised politics.

Father and son... 'twas Frank Jr was the writer... and that particular book I found to be most edifying. Ely

If we have a purpose, surely it is to question and grow. And nobody else can tell us how to do that. Always - they have their motives...