In Defense of the Religious Right: Why Conservative Christians Are the Lifeblood of the Republican Party and Why That Terrifies the Democrats (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A detailed look at the place of the religious right in American politics, Hynes' book examines his subject across a wide range of issues. Hynes does a good job demonstrating the demographic diversity of this voting bloc as well as the diversity of their beliefs-showing how they cannot all be lumped under the banner of a single high-profile leader, such as Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson. In this, Hynes provides a much-needed corrective to the stereotype of the religious voter developed in the reactionary left's collective conscious: poor, dumb, white Southerners. The book is less effective considering issues such as the church-state debate in Revolutionary America or constitutional theory, where the level of discourse approaches low-brow telejournalism, picking apart sound-bites from left-wing politicos and pundits rather than taking on reasoned arguments. Given that Hynes is both a respected political consultant and a blogger (AnkleBitingPundits.com), this dichotomy makes a bit more sense. Unfortunately, the lion's share of the book is more like a snarky blog than a serious consideration of the religious right. Despite its title, Hynes' work is not a defense in the standard sense; Hynes is more interested in strengthening group identity among one of America's largest voting blocs than convincing opponents of that bloc to reconsider their position.
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Product Description

Political consultant and commentator Patrick Hynes dispels common stereotypes and misapprehensions about the most powerful political constituency in the country while undertaking the most exhaustive effort yet to define what the Religious Right is, what its members believe, and why they are right.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595550518
• ISBN-13: 978-1595550514
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,108,090 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for Everyone: Liberals, Conservatives, Believers, Non-believers, June 24, 2006

By	Paul Young - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a Catholic, I was hesitant to pick up Patrick Hynes book because, frankly, I have not always felt comfortable with the religious right. While generally a conservative voter, I did not see myself philosophically in line with the Robertsons and Falwells of the religious right. After reading Mr. Hynes book, I know realize I had fallen pray to many of the stereotypes and misconceptions about the religious right. In reality, the religious right shares a lot more in common with me, and the majority of Americans than I was willing to give them credit for. Hynes does an excellent job demonstrating this point and backing it up with substantive facts. He makes a compelling argument that the commonalities between the religious right and the rest of America is THE reason why Republicans have been successful in elections for the past 25 years.

This is a book for everyone who wants to understand the political dynamics of America since the Reagan era. Believers, non-believers, liberals, conservatives, republicans and democrats can all learn from this book. In fact, if Howard Dean wants to lead his party to victory in 2006, he better read this book! Likewise, Republican leaders would do well to refresh their memories, or in some cases learn of the importance of the religious right in winning elections for the GOP. Hynes has written a blueprint for victory for either party who is willing to embrace the religious right without alienating the majority of Americans because he makes the point (with facts to back it up) that these two groups are more similar than divergent.

Hynes brings the reader through a historical analysis of the political issues and dynamics that have led the religious right to the republican party and the republican party to victory over the past few decades. And, he does so in an engaging way. Frankly, I did not expect this book to be as an enjoyable read as I found it. While this is Hynes' first book, I hope it won't be his last because his writing style and thorough use of facts without boring the reader is a rare skill.

My only criticism is that the book seems to skim over the years when the democratic party could call itself the party of religion that began with the catering to immigrants in the 1930s and ended with the death of JFK in the 1960s. I do not think it is a coincidence that this is the period of greatest success for the democratic party, when they did recognize and embrace religion. Perhaps because Hynes focuses on the past 25 years in his book, he seems to miss this point that I find backs his claim that the democrats have failed because they have run from religion. Otherwise, Hynes hits just about every other issue that have created the current political landscape in America.

If you want to gain greater insight into American politics, pick up a copy of Hynes' book, you might find yourself upset, surprised, or questioning, but you won't be disappointed. As an avid reader of political books, this is perhaps one of the best I have read because it is both informative and entertaining.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Molding Christian Hegemony Into Republican Policy, February 24, 2007

By	A. Nardi (Grand Haven, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not a scholarly take on the ascendancy of the Conservative Christian movement in American politics. It is, as you could divine from the title, a book targeted to that segment of the Conservative Christian community who would agree that America would be a better place, if only...

Hynes' book is slanted significantly towards that audience. If you're a church-going Christian AND have voted Republican, you'll find a great deal that appeals to you. Everyone else? Well, Hynes uses some fairly strong language ("faker," "fraud," "Liberal Theocrat") to construct archetypes of non-Conservative Christian Republicans in order to dismiss their political goals and ideals as anything from disingenuous to downright dangerous.

Through the use of polling data and post-election demographic breakdowns, Hynes makes the case that the Christian hegemony represents the mainstream opinion on nearly all important social issues, and since (he states) the Conservative Christian voting bloc is the "biggest" voting bloc in our country, it is up to Conservative Christians to work through the Republican Party to defeat the non-mainstream, "marginal," or "fringe" policies being advocated by those who don't.

Since this is not a serious, scholarly dissection of the Conservative Christian movement, it goes to follow that a self-professed "liberal" reading this book would find some of Hynes' tactics - such as constructing straw men and engaging in the demogoguery of Hollywood and Bill Clinton - to be the sort of easy and cheap arguments more at home in a right-wing blog than in a Poli Sci textbook. If, however, you find yourself of the opinion that the political policies of the "Democrat Party" (sic) are a danger to the moral fiber of American life, you might find a great deal in this book with which you agree.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For Political Junkies Both Right And Left Wing, July 3, 2006

By	Politico - See all my reviews

Hynes has written a powerful defense of Christian conservatives who, he convincingly argues, have a much larger role in our nation's public affairs than is usually suspected. He further argues that this role is positive and uplifting for the country.

I was especially impressed with his thorough analysis of the 2004 campaign. While most pundits have argued that the role of so-called "moral values" voters was overstated, Hynes argues that the role of "moral values" voters on that elections cannot be overstated.

Don't let the titled fool you. This is not a theological book. It's a political one about what is the most influential voting bloc in the country, and is an absolute must read if you want to understand the dynamics of campaigns and politics.

Even if you don't agree with the "Religious Right" on the issues, you should read the book because it explains how they can influence elections and how they think. Plus, Howard Dean and the Democrats are trying to make inroads with religious voters, and anyone seeking to do so should read the book, even if their only purpose is to "talk the talk" and not "walk the walk".

In sum, Hynes believes the Religious Right is the GOP's "indispensable voting bloc" and is "the largest voting bloc in the country." (The GOP might want to remember that) After completing In Defense of the Religious Right, you will agree.