God's Own Country: Religion and Politics in the USA

(Paperback)

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Right-wing evangelical Christianity has come to dominate American political and social life in recent years, dividing the country and sparking cultural and moral battles whose outcome will determine how the world s only superpower is shaped in the 21st Century. High politics and low tactics frame a fierce debate which goes much further back in the country s history than the accession of George W. Bush in 2001. It s a battle that sears America s soul and affects the world. In this book Stephen Bates explains why what happens in the Bible Belt matters to us and how there are those who hope to export the battle to Britain.

American fundamentalist religion has the potential to impact on crucial and acutely dangerous areas of the world. Its priorities are often arcane and sometimes weird. But it is already affecting American government policy at home and abroad: not least in Israel and the Middle East, where some are predicting the world s last and greatest battle will be fought. Where will America s battle for its soul take the world and will it be a better place

Reviews

'An essential read.' -- Guardian 'With a Presidential election coming up, Bates's observations provide a fascinating, sometimes disturbing, backdrop to the good fight ahead [US elections].' -- Independent 'Bates's account of American religious life is detailed, accurate and engaging...' -- Church Times 'This tour of the wilder shores of US evangelism engages seriously with its ideas...' -- Financial Times Magazine 'This is the best book on the religious politics of the USA thats come out for years. Once again, Stephen Bates gets it right.' -- Rev'd Dr Giles Fraser '[Stephen Bates] is one of the most perceptive observers of religion in America -- on either side of the Atlantic.' -- Mark I. Pinsky, author of The Gospel According to the Simpsons 'Insightful, knowledgeable and at times a bit frightening ... Bates reveals a social and political force with influence on the world stage that cannot be ignored.' -- Canon Dr Judith Maltby, University of Oxford 'I could not wait for this book to come out and it does not disappoint.' -- The Times Online 'Bates drove across the Bible Belt to write this book and packs it with a journalist's eye for detail and a good story ! It's a remarkable achievement; vivid, eloquent and vital for anyone wishing trying to understand the soul of the most powerful nation on earth.' -- Observer, Stephen Pritchard 20080615 'intriguing material' -- Sunday Tribune 20080701 'A fascinating insight into the history and political influence of the Religious Right in the USA' -- UC Magazine 20080601

Author Bio

Stephen Bates is the Guardians" award-winning Religious Affairs Correspondent. Educated at New College, Oxford, he has reported from many parts of the world for the Guardian and other national newspapers during a 30 year career in journalism. He travelled extensively in the US, interviewing many of the key players on the American religious scene for this book. Stephen Bates was named British Religious Writer of the Year in 2005 and 2006 and is the author of the internationally praised A Church at War (Hodder). He is married with three children and lives in Kent.