Sinner's Guide To The Evangelical Right

This book kept me laughing the whole way through. It's a quick, easy read that taught me some pretty shocking things about evangelicalism and, sadly, the politics of the right. A must-read for everyone ever involved in this religion, and please, don't get offended - if your faith can't survive having the truth made public, maybe you should re-think some things.

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!

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

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.

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.