A few years ago I started viewing the State and specifically the U.S. Federal government as a post-theism god. It has many of the trappings of a religion and one of the biggest ones is this idea that the word of the State can just magically make things so. Of course this isn't true and isn't new but many seem to sincerely believe. They are offended in the same way a religious person is offended when you speak ill of their god.

This perspective has really helped me understand why so many people get so worked up about politics and their political team. It truly is a religion and as such when you speak blasphemy you should be silenced.