Religion of Fear: The Politics of Horror in Conservative Evangelicalism
"Jason Bivins takes readers on an engaging but unsettling tour of 'the dark corners and sub-basements of American culture,' from Hell Houses to comic books, and along the way we learn a great deal about religion and politics in the United States. Indispensable for those interested in popular culture and conservative evangelicalism." --Thomas A. Tweed, author ofCrossing and Dwelling: A Theory of Religion"In this fine work of critical cultural analysis, Bivins finds the anxious heart of modern conservative evangelicalism in the United States, showing that fear, powerfully nurtured and exacerbated, has been a potent energizer of Christian public activism. This is a dark but necessary story. Democracy always has its demons, and it is best we know their names. This is a sharp work of social and religious analysis that deserves to be widely read." --Robert Orsi, Grace Craddock Nagle Chair in Catholic Studies, Northwestern University"Jason Bivins takes us on a fantastic tour of Christian Right efforts to -- quite literally -- scare the hell out of true believers. Along the way,Religion of Fearreveals edgy new ways of drawing the age-old line between a righteous us and a sinful them. Lucid, graceful, fun, and disquieting." --James Morone, author ofHellfire Nation: The Politics of Sin in American Historyand coeditor ofHealthy, Wealthy and Fair"Well-written and clearly argued,Religion of Fearmakes a major contribution to the study of religion in American culture. Summing Up: Highly recommended.  Upper-level undergraduates and above; general readers." --Choice"Adroit and theoretically sophisticated... Bivins has offered a theoretically astute interpretive framework that is relevant for the analysis of far more than the particular examples to which he masterfully applies it in this book.Religion of Fearis a persuasive study in its own right, but it also offers critical tools for understanding our contemporary religio-political situation.  In addition, it provides a compelling argument for attempting to do so.  I recommend this book very highly, and I hope it acquires the rich and idverse readership within the academy and beyond that it clearly deserves." --Journal of the American Academy of Religion