ladylibrarian75 's review for:

Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics by Ross Douthat

4.0

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I, too, have been a "Christian without a community" (as written in one review). Douthat's book begins with a thorough review of the past 60+ years in Christianity. Having lived through those decades, I find Douthat's account to be very thorough and accurate. The role of Christianity in our personal lives and national lives has become distorted. The major heresies identified by Douthat are easily observed in today's world and his description and defense is rational, thorough, well-defended, and balanced. Douthat's identified model for the role of religion in today's world - the Civil Rights Movement - is accurate, and his clarification of what was meant by Winthrop's "city upon the hill" demonstrates how a misunderstanding can be co-opted to justify our use of religion in America's political actions throughout history - and, especially in today's world. This is a book that I will re-read - just because it is very detailed; every page is filled with information, and I am certain I have absorbed only a fraction of what he has written. But, it has also spurred me on to do additional reading and research to broaden my understanding.