In addition to @culpritus@hexbear.net's explanation, Calvinists believed that you could tell you were going to be saved if you were blessed in this life. So if you started a business and made a lot of money, that's a sign you had God's favor. The inverse, of course, is that if you're poor it's because you're a hellbound sinner. To map that to politics, the conclusion is that if you can't afford eggs it's because you didn't vote for the right candidate and don't deserve anything.

[–] rootsbreadandmakka@hexbear.net 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I thought election was based on nothing and there was no real way to tell if you were saved?

[–] BodyBySisyphus@hexbear.net 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

People didn't really like that too much so you got these elaborations that eventually evolved into Prosperity Gospel.

[–] rootsbreadandmakka@hexbear.net 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Ah yeah I was gonna say that sounds more like some weird American prosperity theology. Which idk I associate more with Pentecostalism? Or related movements

[–] BodyBySisyphus@hexbear.net 2 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Here's a good summary: https://saisreview.sais.jhu.edu/return-to-max-vebers-theory-of-development/

It all got jumbled up a bunch in the US so I might not have the family tree correct but there are common roots.

[–] rootsbreadandmakka@hexbear.net 2 points 13 hours ago

Okay I’ll have to go over that. I do know Weber and the Protestant work ethic, though I’ve never read it.

[–] culpritus@hexbear.net 23 points 1 day ago (1 children)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformed_Christianity#Predestination

Stemming from the theology of John Calvin, Reformed theologians teach that sin so affects human nature that they are unable even to exercise faith in Christ by their own will. While people are said to retain free will, in that they willfully sin, they are unable not to sin because of the corruption of their nature due to original sin. Reformed Christians believe that God predestined some people to be saved and others were predestined to eternal damnation.

Basically saying that if you voted wrong you are eternally damned for it. That's how I parsed it at least.

[–] rootsbreadandmakka@hexbear.net 3 points 1 day ago

I still fail to see how this has to do with Calvinism. Liberals aren’t accusing conservatives of having some inherent essential characteristic of “sinfulness.” Well maybe they are, but they’re criticizing them based on political beliefs and actions. Which is what we do all the time