Ingrained ideas
and a high estimate of their own conduct;
leaving the world, and pursuing uncommon ways;
talking loftily and in resentful disparagement of others;
– all this is simply symptomatic of arrogance…

Discoursing of benevolence,
righteousness, loyalty, and good faith;
being humble and frugal,
self-forgetful and courteous;
– all this is simply symptomatic of self-cultivation.
This is what scholars who wish to tranquilize the world,
teachers and instructors,
men who pursue their studies at home and abroad,
are fond of.

As to those who have a lofty character
without any ingrained ideas;
who pursue the path of self-cultivation
without benevolence and righteousness;
who succeed in government without great services or fame;

…Hence it is said,
‘Placidity, indifference, silence,
quietude, absolute vacancy, and non-action:
these are the qualities
which maintain the level of heaven and earth
and are the substance of the Tao and its characteristics.’

–Zhuangzi, Ingrained Ideas, by Zhuang Zhou, trans. James Legge

Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana is now Speaker of the House.  Evangelical Fundamentalists have managed to install one of their own in a position of great power.  All spending bills begin in the House Of Representatives.

Speaker Johnson is an ideologue.  For the past five years he served as a Professor of Law at Liberty University.  The university at Lynchburg, Virginia is a Christian fundamentalist institution founded by the late Preacher Jerry Falwell.  Speaker Johnson introduced the national version of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law and played a key role in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, as reported by The Insiders Mike Metzger.  He is one of the theoreticians justifying overthrow of the 2020 election.

Biography.com writes:

Johnson is a proud evangelical Christian. “I don’t believe there are any coincidences,” he said after Wednesday’s vote. “I believe that God has ordained and allowed each one of us to be brought here for this specific moment in this time. This is my belief.”

Johnson has a single purpose, just one alone: To tranquilize us all.

Or as Johnson doubtless would put it: To change the world for Christ.