cover image The Baptizing of America: The Religious Right's Plans for the Rest of Us

The Baptizing of America: The Religious Right's Plans for the Rest of Us

James Rudin, . . Thunder's Mouth, $26 (328pp) ISBN 978-1-56025-797-4

Political controversies ranging from same-sex marriage to the Terry Schiavo case have brought increased public attention to the agenda of the religious right. Rudin, a syndicated columnist and board member of the American Jewish Committee, believes the efforts of Christian conservatives to turn their moral philosophy into law are an "immediate and profound threat to our republic." He unleashes much impassioned rhetoric in rebutting critics who find his totalitarian vision of a Christian police state excessive, but repetitive use of the term "Christocrats" to describe his political opponents becomes off-putting, if not downright offensive. For sure, Rudin isn't the only one for whom recent Harry Potter book burnings are a chilling reminder of the Nazis, but even the mere existence of Christian-themed cable networks fills him with dread. There is a significant political debate to be discussed here, and Rudin occasionally hits upon it, but too often his argument trickles away with vague warnings. What comes across as a personal distaste for conservative evangelicals derails a much-needed discussion of the consequences of religion-based political advocacy. (Jan. 5)