Customer Reviews

Sinner's Guide To The Evangelical Right

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'm a Christian, and was formerly of the "Evangelical Right". There I said it.

I have been an "insider" to the Christian sub-culture for far too long, and this book does a great job of presenting what that sub-culture consists of.

Descriptions are given with a caustic charm; they are amazingly accurate and witty.

My only problem with the book is that the author tends to make broad generalizations and takes some quotes out of context. All in all, it does capture what the American Mega-church has become.

I have been a churchgoer for most of my adult life, which is substantial. I am one of those people who went faithfully but didn't quite understand all that was going on. Now, thanks to this wonderful little book, I have all the answers. I especially liked ths section on Tim LeHaye and all that Left Behind stuff. While people were reading that stuff, I was reading stuff like the Thursday Next series. I'm glad to get a rundown on all the famous and rich televangelists, because now I know what these people look like and what they talk about. I never understood what all the hoopla was about for the DaVinci Code, but now I understand what a unifying book it was. I was reading Elaine Pagels during that time. I guess I was never interested enough to study the wheres, whys, and hows, of the evangelical right, because, well, quite frankly, I sensed a certain amount of slickness and inauthenticity about that whole world, and I didn't want to muddy up my faith.

And now I understand all about Colorado Springs. When I talk to evangelical preachers, they get really excited about going to Colorado Springs. It's nice to get a firm grasp on all this stuff. There's lots more explanations in the book that I think will help even uneducated Southern evangelicals like me. After reading it, I recalled something I read a few years back. Went something like this: When the student is ready, the prophet comes. I think that's what has happened. All my silent questions and uncertainties about the evangelical right have been validated. And with a sense of humor. I appreciate that.

having been born and raised in the bible belt with "attend church whenever it's open" parents, i found this book wonderfully refreshing and validating. it should be required reading for the evangelical right with the hopeful result of a healthy reality check.

Loved it! Very funny, but also very informative. It really gave a good, thorough analysis of all the players and their roles in making this country an evangelical madhouse! I hope everyone reads this, religious, non-religious, and those somewhere inbetween.

It's alarming to think that indirectly the Christian Right, with its lunatic ideas, has influence far beyond the borders of the US, including here in Australia. The idea of the Rapture is just as crazy as that of a Paradise with dozens of virgins awaiting the faithful. Robert Lanham's book is a useful warning to non-Americans.

Having loved Hipster Handbook and Food Court Druids, I couldn't wait for the Sinner's Guide. This book was worth the wait. Seriously. Seriously funny. Lanham's insight and wit prevail as never before, but this is a serious piece of research and a key to understanding the phenomenon of the Evangelical Right. The dominant personalities and background of the movement are illuminated and exposed in piercing clarity --and did I mention the great illustrations! This work is a disturbing revelation of the frightening politicization, manipulation and power of the religious right. I laughed until I cried. Really. I keep Sinner's Guide on my night stand as a reference book. Highly useful when the next self righteous evangelical is exposed. Can't wait for Lanham's next work!

For those (rightly) cynical about the agenda of the religious right, this book is your cup of tea. You'll learn facts about the major players, some of which are unsavory, and will probably laugh out loud at the authors'take on what these hypocrites say and do.

I was already familiar with most of the despicable characters described in this book, and it reinforced my beliefs about the Evangelical Right. The chapters on Creflo Dollar and Joel Osteen are particularly interesting. I don't think the J man would be pleased with these people who have become multi-millionaires by invoking his name. Since the Democrats have taken over Congress, I'm sure Pat Robertson and the rest of the gang believe the Anti-Christ will make his appearance at any moment...lol

I grew up in a right-wing Christian family in the South, and this book brought it all home, but so freakin' FUNNY! It's total fluff, so don't be expecting some in-depth analysis of right-wing politics or anything, but it's definitely a funny - yet pointed - look at certain aspects of American culture. Definitely worth the five bucks I paid for it, just for the laughs I got the first time I read it when I recognized everything they were talking about.

As a christian who reads (almost a compulsion) I have found considerable information, as an asset, to understanding the hypocricy of many religious so called LEADERS of the Family Values group. I guess monitary gain is as importent to them as unethical/immoral corperations. If Christ were here now, he would be throwing these BUMS out.
A moment of truth; Ted Haggards behaviour is probably extreem but, the leader of thirty million paying followers, please!