The Jesus Machine of Colorado Springs

Dan Gilgoff, a senior writer at U.S. News and World Report, was a guest on NPR'sFresh Air with Terry Gross Monday morning to promote his new book, The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War.

I recommend listening to the show for a couple reasons: 1) Gilgoff has apparently "tagged along" with Dobson for some time now and really seems to know a good deal about FotF's impact on the 2004 presidential election via their Family Policy Councils at the state level (especially Ohio's). And 2) it's fairly entertaining to listen to Gross trying to coax answers and comments out of Gilgoff, who clearly prefers to let his typewriter do the communication stuff.

There wasn't really a whole lot of astonishing, new insight or jaw-dropping information divulged during the show, but the reviews I've seen so far for the book give me some hope that it isn't just another "My GOD!! Don't you realize these Religious Zealots are closing in on an American Theocracy!?!?!" book with Nazi references lovingly sprinkled throughout. To me, the genre of political/religious writing that espouses these and similar ridiculous statements do about as much good toward understanding or mutual respect as Ann Coulter writing Godless and calling anything that moves a faggot for attention. Divisiveness for divisiveness's sake will always be the lowest common denominator and, hopefully, someday we will all regard it as such.

So while the reviews give me at least a shred of hope in Jesus Machine (although that title's a bit hard to pull a positive spin on), I'll reserve judgement until I'm able to get a copy. If anyone who sees this has read it or plans too, you'll receive my sincerest gratitude for posting a quick summary of your reactions.