Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America

Tal Lavin investigates the rise of the Christian Right over the past fifty years and its influence on American democracy. Across the country, the movement has driven book bans in school libraries, anti-trans legislation, attacks on abortion clinics, and opposition to gay rights. The Christian Right has become increasingly powerful, helping propel Donald Trump to office and continuing to reshape American institutions. Using primary sources and firsthand accounts, Lavin examines what motivates the Christian Right, tracing its history from segregationism to present-day apocalyptic ideology. He profiles deliverance ministers, self-proclaimed prophets and apostles, Christian militias, and those in power supporting their goals. The book explores anti-abortion extremism, the Christian Patriarchy movement's goal of male control over women, theology linked to child abuse, and connections between conspiracy theorists and extremist Christians. From school boards to the Supreme Court, Christian theocracy is advancing in America. Lavin examines whether democracy can survive an organized theocratic movement seeking to impose religious beliefs on American citizens.