>>Especially in the matter of religion: for the populist, religion is a purely emotional phenomenon<<
Who are these “populists” for which you claim “religion is a purely emotional phenomenon?” Is this a variation on Obama’s “they cling to guns and religion?”
A populist is a person who is up for whatever the crowd wants today.
There are plenty of people whose religion is reflexive, not considered. If you ask them the most basic questions about their faith, they have no answers. Some of them even act as if having answers is suspect.
Is this a variation on Obama’s “they cling to guns and religion?”
No, it is precisely the opposite.
Millions of Americans believe in God because they have carefully considered Him and accept the truth of what He says. Not because they don't like their job or whatever reason Obama is giving.
And millions of Americans own weapons not just because they make cool loud noises, but because they see how essential a right self-defense is and how important it is to take responsibility for their own safety and that of the Constitution.
If firearm ownership is popular, a populist is all for it. If firearm confiscation becomes popular tomorrow, then he is all for that. He really hasn't given the matter much thought.