Divine Destruction: Dominion Theology and American Environmental Policy

by Stephenie Hendricks

It began as a simple investigation into environmental policy in the Sierra Nevadas. But what journalist Stephenie Hendricks uncovered turned out to be a far bigger story, the ramifications of which affect the entire globe. Hendricks discovered that the development of American environmental policy in the Bush administration is being driven by Dominion Theologists-far-right Christian ideologues who believe that by exhausting our natural resources they will hasten the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Known in policy circles as the "wise-use" doctrine, the theory is startling enough in implication, but even more chilling in practice-some officials say the Bush administration did not sign the Kyoto Accord on fighting global warming because it was "against God's prophecies." And as Hendricks investigates the Dominion Theologists' power within the government and profiles some of its leading proponents, she reveals where their funding comes from and charts their regular intersection with the mining and logging industries, real estate developers, off-road vehicle manufacturers, and even The Walt Disney Company. She also tells the often frightening story of those people who dare to resist their policies-for example, the retiree who challenged the destruction of a national forest near her home only to have her life threatened. Divine Destruction is, in short, an in-depth look at the radical remaking of American environmental policy already underway-in terrifying secret. Stephenie Hendricks is an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist with a 35-year career working for mainstream and progressive media. She has worked for ABC Radio, CBS TV San Francisco, and is currently a Pacifica Radio producer.

Genres: Religion

150 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and informative tour of the anti-environmental evangelical right in the GW Bush years. But why oh why is it formatted like this? It's a tiny 4x5" thing with rough-cut page edges that make it look like it should have art photographs or tiny poems inside. The font is a serif "typewriter" style that is distractingly hard to read. Very strange choices from the publisher - but the content is still good and as relevant as ever.

[Melville House Publishing · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story that Stephenie Hendricks has uncovered affects the entire globe. In DIVINE DESTRUCTION, she charts important connections between Wise Use—a rabidly anti-environmental philosophy—and dominion theologists—far-right Christian ideologues who believe that there is no reason to protect the environment given the imminence of the Second Coming of Christ. But this collaboration also reaches all the way to the Bush administration, whose environmental policies are deeply influenced by dominionist thinking.

DIVINE DESTRUCTION is an in-depth look at the radical remaking of American environmental policy already underway—in terrifying secret.

[Shay Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak. Not a lot of discussion of the deeper implications philosophically or theologically. It's clear that Hendricks does not have a background in religious studies. Starts out strong, doesn't really go very far - and it's revealed in hindsight that Hendricks's argument on the origin of Bush's environmental policies is incorrect. Perhaps I'd've liked this more if I read it in the Bush era, but now it reads like so much liberal concern about fundamentalists.

[Alexander Lesher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting. It seems very liberal, but everything is well cited. I think this would be great in a bigger form. It may also seem a bit out of place with the shift in administrations. Not that there is MUCH difference, but the apocalyptic tone seems to have changed for many liberals.

[Erok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary indeed. this seems more of an essay that was expanded into a book. It really left me wanting to know more, or at least be provided with more information.