NOW IN PAPERBACK: American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America

[polichick]

From Publishers Weekly:

Starred Review. The f-word crops up in the most respectable quarters these days. Yet if the provocative title of this exposé by Hedges (War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning)—sounds an alarm, the former New York Times foreign correspondent takes care to employ his terms precisely and decisively. As a Harvard Divinity School graduate, his investigation of the Christian Right agenda is even more alarming given its lucidity. Citing the psychology and sociology of fascism and cults, including the work of German historian Fritz Stern, Hedges draws striking parallels between 20th-century totalitarian movements and the highly organized, well-funded "dominionist movement," an influential theocratic sect within the country's huge evangelical population. Rooted in a radical Calvinism, and wrapping its apocalyptic, vehemently militant, sexist and homophobic vision in patriotic and religious rhetoric, dominionism seeks absolute power in a Christian state. Hedges's reportage profiles both former members and true believers, evoking the particular characteristics of this American variant of fascism. His argument against what he sees as a democratic society's suicidal tolerance for intolerant movements has its own paradoxes. But this urgent book forcefully illuminates what many across the political spectrum will recognize as a serious and growing threat to the very concept and practice of an open society. (Jan. 9)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Fascists-Christian-Right-America/dp/0743284461/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221260582&sr=8-2


As scary as it is, this might be the rainy weekend I'll finally read this book.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Let me know how that is!

[polichick]

2. Interesting link you have - I've always thought of Jesus as a "peace & love liberal." :)

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I like to think of him that way too. Total hippie to me

[Bjorn Against]

6. It is a very disturbing book

I would highly recommend reading it, it is an incredibly scary book. The fact that we have a candidate like Palin who actually follows the type of ultra-right-wing version of Christianity described in this book should make this book even more powerful, I would definitely check it out. Chris Hedges is a great writer. He is a Christian who is terrified by what the religious right has done to his religion, and he is not afraid to call the theocrats for what they are. The religious right will hate this book, but I am willing to bet you would like it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. My hubby is a rw evangelical who believes in the "The USA is a Xian Nation" business. I don't

imagine he would like it very much. My dad and I would love it, though.

[StClone]

3. Palin Doctrine

Thanks for the review I just read "The Wrecking Crew" and I need a new read...

The marriage of Religion and politics is covered nicely in the 1988 British doc. "Thy Kingdom Come...They Will be Done." It was controversial when it came out: http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/88944/moviemain.jhtml

[yardwork]

4. This is a big problem in the U.S. The Christian Right and corporatists have joined forces.

Marriage made in hell.

[New Dawn]

5. K&R

[CrispyQ]

8. I finished this book this week & now my husband is reading it.

The dominionists are a very frightening group of people. They have zero tolerance for any one who does not believe & follow their world view. I did have a few laughs in the chapter about the creationist museum & their idea that dinosaurs inhabited the planet during the time of Noah & Christ. But even that levity was short lived when you realize how far they will go to deny science.

They are a very scary group of people who are committed & unified & speak with a voice that is far stronger & louder than their actual numbers. I agree with the author that it's one thing to have tolerance for people of different religions, it's quite another to tolerate intolerance. This is what the dominioninsts count on - that others, especially Christian groups, will not call them out on their intolerant views.

Here is a link to the DU non-fiction book club's discussion on "American Fascists."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=209&topic_id=5027

If you like this book, you may also like Matt Taibbi's "The Great Derangement."

[polichick]

10. Thanks for the info! Reminds me of what I've read about sociopaths....

...in that they depend on you to be ethical and fair, allowing them to carry on with their sick agendas. I've been thinking of Sarah Palin as a sociopath ~ now I know why!

[cascadiance]

11. Chris Hedges knows how to call a spade a spade!

He was on fire the other day on Laura Flanders' show!

[polichick]

12. Sorry I missed that - don't think I've ever heard him interviewed...

What did he say about Palin?