The Sinner's Guide to the Evangelical Right

by Robert Lanham

From Bibles designed to look like glossy fashion magazines to mega-churches with ATMs, rock climbing walls, and in one case, a drive-thru McDonalds, the nuances of conservative evangelical culture are no mystery to Robert Lanham, who has his roots in the Bible Belt. Now, with his anthropological eye and trademark wit, Lanham has compiled a handy guide to the evangelical right for those who can expect to be left behind in the End of Days.

Genres: Religion, Humor, Nonfiction, Politics, Sociology

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2006

About the author

Robert Lanham is the author of the beach towel classic, The Emerald Beach Trilogy, which includes the acclaimed works PreCoitus, Coitus, and Afterglow. More recent books include the satirical anthropological studies The Hipster Handbook, Food Court Druids, Cherohonkees, and other Creatures Unique the Republic, and The Sinner's Guide to the Evangelical Right. Lanham's writing has appeared in The New York Times, Salon, Maxim, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Nylon, Playboy, TimeOut New York, and Radar and has been a guest on CNN and NPR to discuss his work. Lanham is the founder and editor of the trendsetting publication, FREEwilliamsburg.com—recently featured in a New York Magazine cover story about essential New York blogs—a publication covering the arts and culture of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Lanham moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 1996. Lanham is currently the employee of the month at Foot Locker.

Reviews

[Chris Comis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as funny as I thought it was going to be. Lanham comes across like that wannabe cool-guy jock in high school who thought it was funny to pick on the retards and midgets in the cafeteria. The evangelicals he chooses to pick on are just the most obvious "retards and midgets" on campus. When the targets are this easy to hit, it's almost impossible to miss. But unlike the retards and midgets in high school, these evangelicals actually have some power and influence in American culture. And this seems to be what Lanham is so worried about. He wishes he had the power to be able to do what these men can do. And so, like the nerdy, lonely, and uber-bitter kid in high school who had very few friends (and even fewer real enemies), Lanham likes to take easy pot-shots at men and movements that he himself has no real possibility to ever influence, let alone reform for the better. He doesn't realize that lasting reformation of the Church can only come from within the Church, not without.

And to be completely diplomatic and fair, Lanham should write his next book on the hypocrisies and idiosyncrasies of the Evangelical Left and their non-Christian fellow travelers.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious and somewhat terrifying introduction to the wild, wacky, wicked world of megachurch leaders and general Evangelical culture. The rapture, x-treme teen NIVs, freaking Colorado, W. all getting advised by all of them, some pastor named Ciflo Dollar (!!!) who I'd never heard of --- a man who claims tithing him will get you his life of mad Rolls Royces and platinum jewelry.

It's funny, because this book just barely missed the magical meth & gay sex adventures of Ted Haggard. Interesting to see him in a pre-scandal context.

Full of surprises and bittersweet laughs.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking hilarious! And disturbing...since it is real.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of short-ish essays excoriating the Evangelical political right. Lanham has a good time summarizing the hypocrisies, peccadillos and malign political influence of gasbags like Joel Osteen, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Roy Moore, Gary Bauer and Michael Gershon (who now is an op-ed writer for WaPo). Much fun is had in elaborating on the ridiculous elaborations of mega-churches, which have fast-food franchises on their campuses, and elaborate sound and video systems to broadcast to thousands excruciating modern "praise music" and the empty-headed and often biblical text-free sermons. The author summarizes the byzantine plot of the "Left Behind" series, and makes clear that none of this bullshit about The Rapture and Armageddon and the political subversion of the Anti-Christ is mentioned anywhere in the Bible (except for imagery plucked from Revelations, and mangled beyond the idiocy that Revelations already is).
A fun book. Read as bedside reading, for which it was ideal: short entries, clear and amusing style, lots of laughable facts and details and descriptions of the hair and clothing styles of these self-proclaimed ministers? pastors? preachers? charlatans? and their lugubrious and uncritical devotees.
I will remember the happy energy of the author, and appreciate his research, which must have been both excruciating and hilarious. I will keep this on my shelf for future reference when any of these "Christian" hypocrites start to wax on about political and social issues.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guidebook provides lots o' useful historical and current day info about the evangelical right. It's not only about the individuals involved, but about their "tools" as well. Take the Bible, for instance. It comes in many versions, allowing you to support your views as necessary. Compare how Ephesians 5:22-23 appears in the New International Version: "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church." And how it appears in Today's New International Version: "Wives, submit thyself to the sofa tonight. For your do-nothing husband is the head of the kitchen and shalt cook you dinner since it's his turn." You see what I mean ?

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the rather light hearted title, this book is not funny. In fact, I, as a skeptic, find it rather scary. It was published in 2006 so I can't be sure that the specific information is terribly up-to-date, but I also feel sure that, even if the names have changed, the intent of the evangelical sector of our society is much the same. Which is to say,they want to outlaw gay marriage, overturn Roe v Wade, teach the Bible in school, prevent legislation concerning global warming and keep women at home and quiet. Evangelicals have an enormous impact on the legislation that gets through congress and, in my opinion, that legislation is not necessarily to the benefit of all of us. Particularly those of us who do not believe as they do. I , for one, have no interest in living in a theocracy.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This humorous little book taught me more than I expected. Beyond the snarky veneer lies a concise and valuable introduction to all of the folks who are dead-set on piloting America’s ship back to the Puritan days. You’ll recognize the superstar evangelical nut jobs, but there are just as many working behind the scenes who are just as, or more, powerful.

Notably, the author also profiles a few up-and-coming religious leaders who don’t base their ministries around hate, prejudice, and party politics. Unfortunately, their voices seem to be drowned out by the old guard, at least for now.

[Dale Stonehouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems redundant to trash evangelicals and try to make them look foolish - they do such a good job of that themselves without any outside help. It's sort of like progressive talk radio - amusing but not necessary. Those who like preaching to the choir may like the author's approach, but lefty propaganda is no less ridiculous than its counterpart from the right. The author does have some good things to say about a few evangelicals, if you can get past the cattle-prodding.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was both funny and scary. It sort of makes me want to go an evangelical service but then again no because I have been approached by witnesses...maybe I could go to the megachurches with Starbucks or McDonald's (drive thru). If I do go, it's got a handy glossary in the back so I can talk to the bless-ed like a saved person.

[miteypen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an anomaly: it appears to be a smart-ass look at the evangelical right but is (smart-ass comments aside) a serious look at the entire spectrum of evangelical thought and behavior. This author really knows the territory. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand not only the evangelical movement in America, but also where their own beliefs fit in.

[Jaena4 Beadling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, not as fun as I was hoping it would be. Not a whole lot of humorous writing - more simple reportage (which, of course, is crazy enough in many places). Some of the gimmicks didn't work very well either - like the 6 "guide" characters. Eh. Read it if you're into the subject, skip it otherwise. Could have been really fun but was only ok.

[Josh Mishler · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's one thing to point out the Religious Right's faults and ridiculousness (which the author did a good job of), but I felt he went a little far at times and attacked Christianity itself, or least some of the basic tenets of the faith.

Unfortunately, though, most of what he wrote is true. Sad.

[Ancient Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

If nothing else the illustrations are awesome! You can't beat Ted Haggard (pre-scandal) on a billboard trying to french-kiss an American eagle as the Dukes of Hazzard General Lee is seen tearing by down below. Yee-Haw! Allelulia! Praise Jesus, American Evangelical style!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is funny at times. But sometimes the jokes just fall flat to me.
Example: the author trys to make a joke/point that "only good right-wing-Christians shop at Wal-Mart and only lefty-liberal-atheists shop at Target." Maybe it's just me, but it's not that funny.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vulgar, ridiculous, and utterly amazing addition to Lanham's masterpieces. A beautifully inappropriate insight to the world of megachurches, anti-gay supporters and the close-at-hand Rapture. You can't be a true sinner/non-christian without reading this book.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned to be afraid of Christians, and most of America for that matter...and for that reason alone I recommend this book. Plus the fact that it's downright hilarious doesn't hurt at all.

[Molly]

Hilarious...it offends everyone! Love it!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small and sassy is the best way to describe this book. I can say with absolute certainty that anyone who picks this up will be hard pressed to want to put it down.

[Diandra]

a little preachy... How ironic.

[Deb Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insights into the religious right and its leaders

[Rhianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this book.

[Joe Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, frightening and hilarious.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and frightening all at the same time.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Click on the link to read my full review:

http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

Via Angel: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.co...

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most hilarious books I have ever read in my entire life!!!! The fire and brimstone scale is epic.

[Jill Minor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I'd call particularly insightful or incisive, having come out of this counterculture. Jill Lepore does a better job.