There are so many things to be concerned about in the world

That’s exactly it. Present day conservatives don’t have any solutions to current problems, so they have to make up a boogieman that has to take the blame for all that is wrong in the world (instead of the actual causes) and that only they can save their followers from (because everyone else is already “indoctrinated”.) Anything that’s against “traditions” is a good target (often a minority that’s starting to get treated in a more equal way.)

become complacent about solving the primary problems

We have been complacent about solving the primary problems for decades. At this point we should be doing all we can, and if a way to combat the symptoms gives us more time to finally get our shit together and do something useful before everyone turns into doomers giving up because it’s too late anyway then I think that’s a good thing.