There’s been recent studies that show Millennials (my generation) aren’t getting more conservative as they get into middle age. And while I don’t think I’m getting much more conservative, if at all, part of me wonders if it’s more that the party of conservatives is just outpacing us in their mad dash to the right.

Like, I definitely have some further-left ideals and some more moderate-left ones, but damn if the conservatives aren’t going full auth-right faster than I can moderate my views to even see where they’re coming from.

Religion is probably part of it. A lot of the more conservative sects of Christianity emphasize both uncritical conformity and a fear of punishment.

It’s why some don’t understand how you can be a good, moral person without religion. Their morality is based on that fear of punishment.