How the Republicans Stole Religion: Why the Religious Right is Wrong about Faith & Politics and What We Can Do to Make it Right

by Bill Press

For decades, Press argues, conservatives have defined religion so narrowly that Democrats and liberals have been pushed outside the fold. According to their narrow gospel, God put George W. Bush in the White House to deal with gays, guns, and abortion—and those who don’t agree are on the sure road to hell. How the Republicans Stole Religion is Press’s fervent call for the left to reclaim religion and return it to its basic principles of social justice, charity, and tolerance.

Genres: Religion, Politics

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2006

About the author

Bill Press began his career as a political insider and media commentator on KABC-TV and KCOP-TV, both in Los Angeles. Over the years, he has received numerous awards for his work, including four Emmys and a Golden Mike Award.

The former co-host of MSNBC's Buchanan and Press, CNN's Crossfire and The Spin Room, Press has built a national reputation on thought-provoking and humorous insights from the left side of the political aisle.

Press is the author of six books: Spin This! (Atria, 2002), Bush Must Go! (Dutton Books, 2004), How The Republicans Stole Christmas (Doubleday, 2005), Trainwreck (Wiley, 2008), Toxic Talk (Thomas Dunne Books, 2010), and his latest, The Obama Hate Machine (Thomas Dunne Books, 2012).

The host of radio’s nationally syndicated Bill Press Show (Monday-Friday from 6-9am ET), Press attends the daily White House press briefing and writes a syndicated newspaper column, distributed weekly by Tribune Media Services.

Press resides in the nation’s capital with his wife Carol.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent examination of the right wing's co-opting of religion and what liberal people of faith ought to do to offset the damage that is being done to our country. I'm not currently a believer, though at times in the past I have participated in organized religion. If so-called religious people insist on forcing their belief system on the rest of us, resistance is required in order to stay true to our constitution and the actual intention of the founders of our country.

Bill Press's book is well written. It was released during George W. Bush's second term. What on earth would Press make of the alliance between the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and evangelical leaders?

[Carrie A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well worth reading, analyzing and mulling over.

Not sure of the accuracy of this book. I remember the march, although I was not there to participate. My sister and I later walked across the bridge and celebrated the improvement in multiracial relationships. The title, I find, is misleading. Republicans do not have a monopoly on religion.

[Heather Kidder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book written by Christian Democrat. This book is not preachy in any sense. It goes through some of the history of our founding fathers, the true meaning of separation of church and state, and explains not only why politics should not be ruled by religion but as well as why religion should not be ruled by politics. Its a great read.