hmmm. I think what merits some concern is the fact that we are analyzing whether the current administration is close or far from being like the show. Such would make many lose interest because it indeed seems far fetched. With that said, if you would have told any of the Jonestown people that leaving for South America was crazy and that next thing you knew you would be dead, they too would have said that was far fetched.
The story does not have to come to realization exactly as presented in the show. Both sides of the proposition can meet each other half way. Which is probably how it usually happens. Coming from a country where there has been plenty of government coups and extreme ideology changes, I can tell you none of it happens overnight. There is alway chest pounding at the tail end of the story because no one thought it could happen. Much like when Serena comes to realize her daughter could be subjected to the same fate as other sinful women.
Just because the book was published in 1985, it doesn't mean is not relatable to the times. The book was not meant to represent current times. Our modern political time may have made this old writing relevant. There is a difference.
Just like indoctrination, if an ideology like that was to take place, it would hardly be by force and in a matter of months. It would be much slower and methodical. You already have Christians babbling about Trump being a god sent. Using the bible to justify their actions. You have a supreme court judge that believes the president should be excluded to judicial prosecution while in office.
Having lived there for 21 years, the US sounds and looks ever more like South America with a Christian twist to it.