Religion Gone Bad Released, Book Tour Begins
Great News! After 12 years of writing and research I have finally finished Religion Gone Bad: Hidden Dangers from the Christian Right. On September 5, 2006, I begin a month long, nationwide tour introducing Religion Gone Bad to the general public. I hope and pray that this sequel to Stranger at the Gate will sound a clear warning (just before the November elections) that the rise of fundamentalist Christianity is a threat not just to LGBT people but to all Americans.
My book tour schedule is up on the web at www.ReligionGoneBad.com/tour.php. I’m hoping that you will seriously consider joining me at an event near you and/or invite your friends and family who do live near by to spend that evening with me. I’m also hoping you will buy a copy of Religion Gone Bad for your own use or buy extras to donate to friends and family or to use as gifts. Here’s why.
The media only notice a book when a crowd gathers at the book signing events or when a book makes a bestseller list. Word of mouth is everything. When you get a copy and talk about it, word spreads.
I’ve spent the last fifteen years monitoring the Christian fundamentalist’s rise to power in church and state alike. I wrote Religion Gone Bad with the growing realization that LGBT people our friends and families could lose this “culture war” they are waging against us and lose it in a big way.
If, however, we realize the danger in time there is a real possibility that we will stop fundamentalist efforts to turn the US into a de facto theocracy ruled entirely “by righteous men.” Truth and justice can triumph over untruth and oppression but only if we take our stand. I am convinced that Religion Gone Bad could be a real help in mobilizing our community to that task.
Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, Kennedy, LaHaye, Schlafly, Hagee, Bauer, Perkins…you name your favorite fundamentalist and I can guarantee you that he or she is using his or her powerful media empire to recruit millions of American voters and to raise tens of millions of donor dollars to see us demeaned, dehumanized, deprived of our civil rights, driven back into our closets or worse. We must sound the alert!
Bishop John Shelby Spong says:
“Mel White, the gay ghostwriter for both Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, lays bare in this book, as only an insider can do, the fierce anti-homosexual agenda of organized religion from the Vatican to the American television preachers. White paints a frightening picture of what they mean when they call for ‘making America a Christian nation.’ He issues a challenging wake-up call both to those who are traditional Christians as well as to those who hold deeply to human values. A consciousness-raising, must-read book.”
For me this book is a strategic part of our Soulforce mission. To win the election in November, 2006, fundamentalist Christians will use their fear mongering tactics about same-sex marriage and adoption or gays in the church or gays in the military. If they win, we risk losing all the rights and protections the Constitution guarantees us.
I’m hoping you will buy and read Religion Gone Bad; buy a copy for a friend or a member of your family; give a copy to your pastor, Sunday School teacher or church library; offer a copy to your local public or college library. I’m hoping, too, that you will give a copy to someone you know who believes the fundamentalist rhetoric and needs to hear the truth about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. When you buy online from Soulforce, we’ll send an autographed first edition copy to you or to the person or persons you designate with our gratitude!
Sincere Thanks,
Mel White
PO Box 3195
Lynchburg, VA 24503
mel@soulforce.org
An interesting site, and a good book title. Actually, religion has always gone bad throughout history. I am not surprised by the rist of the religious right in America, because the bottom line has always been male supremacy. All the churches seem oppressive to radical lesbian feminists, it’s just more of the same.
Fundamentalism, at its heart is about the domination of men; it’s that simple. I don’t really think that white men gay or straight really get this idea, so their “leadership” in this will only reinforce the same old thing.
As a lesbian activist, I have always noted that whether churches are “gay” or not, they are still run on a male hierarchical model. Sexism and the hatred of women is at the heart of all fundamentalist messages.
Long ago, when we were warning about the evils of male supremacy in the church, most white gay men of a certain generation continuted to profit from and serve these masters. You shouldn’t be surprise that male supremacy itself is coming back on you. The religious right pays little attention to lesbians. It should be clear that they want to kill gay men, but gay men won’t denounce their male privilege, and will always be “conservative oppressors.”
You should say that religion — Christianity has always been a bulwork against the advancement of women worldwide, that it still blocks women’s moral agency, and that its services and bibilical tenants are about male supremacy, a male god and ultimately a waste of time for lesbians.
Comment by J. Shigota — September 19, 2006 @ 12:33 pm
Dear Mr. White,
I feel sorry for our friend who wrote the first comment. I can only hope that the love of Christ will find a way to reach her.
As a Christian, lesbian, and veteran, I wish you Godspeed with your book. I read Strangers at the Gate. You are blessing to us all, and a gift from God to this community. I have just ordered your new book, and eagerly await its arrival.
Unfortuneately, often the only face of Christians to the world are the people of the fundamentalist right. I believe that Jesus looks in sadness at what’s become of His church, and that some day the greater church will be held to account for their treatment of GLBT people. How many church doors have slammed in our faces, how many people have died without ever knowing the truth of the love of God, and how much joy has been lost by GLBT people who continue to believe the lie that God doesn’t love them too.
Know that you are in my prayers, as is Soulforce. May God continue the good work that he began in you, and bless you as you continue to travel, and speak, and work for justice on our behalf.
Yours in Christ,
Kay Olry
Comment by Kay Olry — September 27, 2006 @ 3:05 pm
Just beginning my journey as an adult lesbian struggling with a sudden fierce love of politics, I have of course, stumbled up RWFC. This has been primarily through Internet blogs. I’ve been angered, hurt, enraged, saddened, but most of all, confused.
If anything, for someone more into scientific theory rather than Christianity, I’ve been hardly interested in religion.
I find myself spending every spare moment looking up information on RWFC and it’s effects on our government.
In doing that, I’ve come across this book title. I purchased the book the very next day. While not a big reader, I’m fascinated with this book.
And while I do understand it’s a one sided opinion, it’s also MY opinion.
Thank you for giving me another thrust into what I think my future holds. That being a basic human rights activist. At least, one day I hope.
Comment by LifeUncommon — February 5, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
Can anyone seriously compare radical Islamic extremists to Christianity?? When Christianity is driven underground in the west, the west will be doomed. It’s coming for all of us, but will just take the miracle of a beating heart to stop to prove there is a God and we’re not it.
Comment by Greg McAllister — March 28, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
Dear Dr. White,
As a Christian, whose parents immigrated from former Soviet Union, I’d like to tell you that your content of “Religion Gone Bad,” resembles a lot with what Communists were doing, in terms of creating punitive measures against Christian people, and discrediting the Bible. I know what your agenda is; you want to have Christianity disappear, that’s why falsely accuse Christians of trying to take over the country. You and your Soulforce want to infiltrate into Christian communities in order to convert people to your pathetic “ecumenic interfaith moral relativist” junk, like a Trojan horse was used to destroy the city of Troy.
Well, I got a message for you, even if you succeed, you won’t be able to stop Christian people from believing that Jesus is the only truth, that whoever does not accept him as a savior will go to Hell, and that homosexual sex is wrong. Communists couldn’t stop us from believing this, despite locking us up, and neither could gay fascists like you.
Also, can you please tell everybody, that for 30 years before you came out, you’ve been meeting other guys in bathhouses, until one day you got caught, and you had no choice but to come out and the real reason why you attempted suicide had nothing to do with you being bay, but with you not being able to live a double life any longer, which brought you and your family a lot of shame. That doesn’t sound like you were trying to change, during that time. Please, quit blaming “Religious Right” for your own screwups. Be accountable for you own actions.
Comment by t-cash money — October 12, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
I suggest that every good American realizes that Mel White and his Soulforce are waging a psychological oppressive war, not only against conservative Christian people, but also against ANYBODY who doesn’t agree with their ideology.
Comment by speaker of truth — February 3, 2008 @ 8:38 pm