Progressives are especially disposed to mysticism - denying the evidence of their own senses - and also to believe, deterministically, that powerful forces beyond their control shape their lives, as opposed to actions taken under their own free will.
Their attitude is frequently one of despair and hopelessness. Such people are vulnerable to the manipulations of others who seek to control them by promising protection against that which they fear, and which their new "protectors" conveniently validate.
In this manner, many Progressives gravitate toward powerful people, especially in government and grow distrustful of, and frequently hostile toward fellow citizens and groups that profess both independence and skepticism toward central authority.
Sounds sorta pagan, or even animist, to me. Oh, wait!