Rate this book

God Less America: Real Stories From The Front Lines Of The Attack On Traditional Values (2014)

by Todd Starnes(Favorite Author)

3.95 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1621365913 (ISBN13: 9781621365914)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Frontline

review 1: Another embarrassment. Demagoguery 101. Culture War clichetopia. A rehash of multiple rehashes of 1970s era Moral Majority/Christian Coalition doom and gloom predictions about how Christians are now a persecuted minority in America.What does Mr. Starnes consider as evidence of "the war on Christianity"? Well, things like, you know, the Democratic Convention booed God that one time. And the Duck Dynasty guy had that trouble after he made those gay marriage remarks. Starnes predicts that there will be an active persecution coming soon. Rick Warren even told him that religious liberty is going to be the most important civil rights issue of our generation. Also, there was a bureaucrat this other time who, well, told a poor widow living in government funded housing that... more she couldn't talk about the Bible. Also Chick-fil-A. Also President Obama was rude to Pastor Louie Giglio. Also homosexual activists, liberal media, etc., etc.Traditional conservatives wouldn't give Mr. Starnes a second thought, other than to wonder why anyone would listen to him at all. It is extreme rhetoric like that of Mr. Starnes's that diminishes real political discourse."The vanity, restlessness, petulance, and spirit of intrigue of several petty cabals, who attempt to hide their total want of consequence in bustle and noise, and puffing, and mutual quotation of each other, makes you imagine that our contemptuous neglect of their abilities is a mark of general acquiescence in their opinions. No such thing, I assure you ... Pray do not imagine that, after all, they are other than the little shrivelled, meagre, hopping, though loud and troublesome insects of the hour."- Edmund Burke, 1790
review 2: I often hear, and enjoy, radio commentaries by Todd Starnes. So when I learned that he had a book out, and that he wanted bloggers to read and review it, I was happy to comply. God Less America: Real Stories From the Front Lines of the Attack on Traditional Values is his book.The book is largely news reports on various outrages in our nation today. I was able to read a succinct version, for the first time, of the sad tale of Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor imprisoned in Iran because of his Christianity. I read about an NFL player who sacked Christian player Tim Tebow during a game, and then "Tebowed" him -- pretended to pray in celebration on bended knee. Always the thought is there: apparently making fun of Christians is fine. But would it be acceptable to openly mock a Muslim player, for instance? There was also a troubling chapter on the US military and its growing insistence on gay rights. Christian military chaplains are apparently being told that they cannot pray in the name of Jesus or quote scripture. Ummm ... I'm wondering what they can do, then? And in several instances, members were chastised for even voicing opposition to gay marriage. One military member made the observations that, in the military at least, Christians and gays appear to have changed places: gays are out of the closet, while Christians are being forced into it.Much of the "God Less" trend appears to be led by President Obama, and numerous examples are given: for instance, for their first Christmas at the White House, the Obamas apparently told their social secretary that they wanted to plan a "non-religious Christmas." Starnes goes on to elaborate on specifics -- Obama has released multiple statements recognizing the observance of various Muslim holidays, but often either fails to mention Christian holidays at all (example: Easter 2011), or redefines Christian holidays in non-religious ways: "Service to others -- that's what this season is all about. For my family and millions of Americans, that's what Christmas is all about." O-kay then.These chapters inevitably raised my blood pressure, so it's nice that they were interspersed with humorous, fictional chapters. Starnes really shines at humor writing. I was cracking up as he described a modern church, with its "King of the Juice" drink bar serving "Laodicea Lattes" -- neither too hot nor too cold, natch ... He also quips that perhaps a Nativity scene should have been set up in front of our embassy at Benghazi, as help (or at least some type of attention) might have arrived sooner ...At times the book gets a bit laundry list-ish, with its seemingly neverending anecdotes about the war against Christianity in our culture today. And while I get that Starnes is a good 'ol Southern boy, I did tire after a while of all the mentions of sweet tea, buttered biscuits, and "bless your heart." Nevertheless, a good read overall and a call out of complacency. It really needs 3 1/2 stars. It's amazing how far our nation has slid, morally, just in my lifetime. less

Download links for: God Less America: Real Stories From the Front Lines of the Attack on Traditional Values

Advertising