Summer Reading: "Religion Gone Bad: The Hidden Dangers of the Religious Right", by Rev. Mel White

I'm not one of those who reads a lot of books, mostly because I find most of the stuff that makes it to the best seller lists has been done to death. I've yet to see anything that looks remotely original or thought-provoking. One exception comes from Soulforce founder and author, Rev. Mel Wight, called "Religion Gone Bad: The Hidden Dangers of the Religious Right". Every LGBT person who is as appalled as I am at the rise to power and the undue influence of the religious right in this country over the last four decades should read this book.

White, who was an evangelical preacher for many years, was in a unique position as a bible student, pastor, film maker, TV producer and writer to learn the inner workings of the religious right. He was part of the inner circle of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and James Dobson and even ghostwrote their biographies.

White explains in his book how the Unholy Trio collectively decided to exploit homophobia to build their base, infiltrate and take over the Republican party and the secure the highest seats of power in Washington, including the White House. If you thought the culture wars were just a sign of the times, think again. 

The following is from the book's website:

This Fall's midterm elections will see much discussion about the enhanced power of the Christian fundamentalist Right, leaving many people to wonder: just who are these people and what exactly do they want? What are their ultimate goals? The Reverend Mel White, a deeply religious man who sees fundamentalism as "evangelical Christian orthodoxy gone cultic," believes that it is not a stretch to say that the true goal of today's fundamentalists is to break down the wall that separates church and state, superimpose their "moral values" on the U.S. Constitution, replace democracy with theocratic rule, and ultimately create a new "Christian America" in their image. White's new book, Religion Gone Bad, is a wake-up call to all of us to take heed.