A review by digitalrob
American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America, by Chris Hedges
3.0
This book is disturbing.
First, Hedges starts with a definition and explaination of fascism, and I had to double check the publication date to see that it wasn't specifically written to be a lampooning of the Trump administration. It was written in 2007, so the fact that the description of fascism immediately made me think of Trump is telling in and of itself.
All of the middle chapters explain the different methods that conservative Christians move to make the U.S. a Christian Nation, and in so doing accept and relish their own hypocrisy. Most of what is described here, I had already heard of; however, put together in this manner with these expamples and quotes from the church leaders makes it abundantly clear that Christian hegemony is the agenda, not an accident of ignorant policies and Biblical interpretations.
Finally, one of the most interesting aspects of this study for me is the fact that so many of the radical right have professed a faith of prosperity, that gaining riches is the result of great faith and thus being wealthy is a sign of God's trust in someone. This is what I mean when I say that fascism knowingly embraces their own hypocrisy and also prey on the desperation of those in most need.
Quotes from Chapters 9 and 10
"There can be no liberty for the community that lacks the means to detect lies."
After the quote from Huck Finn about tearing up the note: "The radical Christian right calls for exclusion, cruelty, and intolerance in the name of God. Its members do not do evil for evil's sake. They commit evil to make a better world."
"I do not deny the right of the Christian radicals to be, to believe and worship as they choose. But I will not engage in a dialog with those who deny my right to be, who delegitimize my faith and denounce my struggle before God as worthless."
First, Hedges starts with a definition and explaination of fascism, and I had to double check the publication date to see that it wasn't specifically written to be a lampooning of the Trump administration. It was written in 2007, so the fact that the description of fascism immediately made me think of Trump is telling in and of itself.
All of the middle chapters explain the different methods that conservative Christians move to make the U.S. a Christian Nation, and in so doing accept and relish their own hypocrisy. Most of what is described here, I had already heard of; however, put together in this manner with these expamples and quotes from the church leaders makes it abundantly clear that Christian hegemony is the agenda, not an accident of ignorant policies and Biblical interpretations.
Finally, one of the most interesting aspects of this study for me is the fact that so many of the radical right have professed a faith of prosperity, that gaining riches is the result of great faith and thus being wealthy is a sign of God's trust in someone. This is what I mean when I say that fascism knowingly embraces their own hypocrisy and also prey on the desperation of those in most need.
Quotes from Chapters 9 and 10
"There can be no liberty for the community that lacks the means to detect lies."
After the quote from Huck Finn about tearing up the note: "The radical Christian right calls for exclusion, cruelty, and intolerance in the name of God. Its members do not do evil for evil's sake. They commit evil to make a better world."
"I do not deny the right of the Christian radicals to be, to believe and worship as they choose. But I will not engage in a dialog with those who deny my right to be, who delegitimize my faith and denounce my struggle before God as worthless."