As a member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, I secured an advanced copy of this book as a precursor to an online discussion with Jared Huffman and Ron Reagan.

This well-researched, terrifying record of Christian Nationalist’s history and rise to power in the US outlines the movement’s beliefs, showing how this anti-democratic faction got the current administration elected and has and continues to install its followers in high-level positions (think Mike Johnson) and infiltrate all government policies. Due to be published August 18, it is a must read for anyone who cares about this country and her values as set forth in the Constitution.

Huffman details the background and interests of several top-ranking Christian Nationalists including Doug Wilson, founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, who has been defended and openly supported by the Pentagon and many in this administration. Wilson advocates “making the US a Christian theocracy by codifying the Apostle’s Creed in the Constitution…” He believes that government should police sex, religious belief, and speech. According to Wilson, homosexuals should be criminally punished (as should “heretics”), women should not be allowed to vote, and slavery is a-ok. Huffman’s introduction of Dutch Sheetz of the New Apostolic Reformation is no more comforting to those of us who believe strongly that, while everyone should have the freedom to worship (or not) as they choose, it is imperative to maintain the separation of church and state if we want to hold onto our democratic ideals.

This is not your compassion-and-love-for-all Christianity I understood growing up (even though it wasn’t even really that in my experience—last I checked, death threats and violence against a person who believes differently doesn’t = compassion). And this is what we are up against. For those who believe in democracy and pluralism, this.should.be terrifying and infuriating. We are seeing many, many policies begin to change to accommodate the ideas of those who believe in Christian dominion. Whether you are Christian or other- or nonbeliever THIS is a critical work.