The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America Are Winning the Culture War

By Dan Gilgoff

Book Overview

*The crucial Ohio get-out-the-vote effort that lifted Bush over Kerry. *The Terri Schiavo controversy. *The push for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. *Attacks on Roe v. Wade. *"Intelligent design" in our science curriculum. The evangelical right has pushed all of these initiatives, led by the immense behind-the-scenes influence of Dr. James Dobson, the founder and chairman of Focus on the Family: an organization that has grown from its roots as a local parenting advice center to a powerful ministry that broadcasts Dr. Dobson each day on more than 3,000 radio and 80 television stations in the U.S. alone. Dobson has supplanted Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Ralph Reed as the spokesman for tens of millions of American evangelical Christians--even though Dobson is not a minister, but a family therapist with a doctorate in child development. Dobson maintains that the American political and social spectrums are firmly rooted in a centuries-old Christian tradition--one that has come under siege beginning in the 1960s, spear-headed by court rulings that have undermined the necessity of religion in public life. With the support of evangelical followers, Dobson has garnered more and support than many ever thought possible and has harnessed this power to wage a crusade in support of strengthening abortion restrictions and establishing anti-gay rights litigation. "The Jesus Machine" is the first book to examine Focus on the Family as the cutting edge of the larger evangelical movement, backing what many view to be goals in common with the current political agenda of the Bush administration, as it works to become the voice of mainstream America. Through exhaustive research, Dan Gilgoff, a Senior Reporter for US News & World Report, exposes the intricacies of the Focus on the Family's rallying cry and the drastic implications they hold for the future of America's political system.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312357907
• ISBN13: 9780312357900
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

An important window into the evangelical political worldview

I am so glad I read this book. It is difficult for someone like me who believes that the intersection of religion and government is dangerous to the liberties I believe our country was founded on to understand why this movement acts in the way it does. This book helped me to see where they are coming from, without the divisive rhetoric that pervades most discussions of this topic. I still found the evangelical vision for America a frightening one, and one I do not support, but a little knowledge about the movement helps remind me that these are human beings with deeply held beliefs, however frightening I may find them.

Very Well Written

Before reading this book, I expected that it would inevitably take sides on what has proven to be one of the most controversial issues in politics. I am pleased to report, however, that Gilgoff does an excellent job of keeping his own views and opinions (whatever they may be) out of the book, and instead relies on the facts he collected during extensive researching and interviewing. In addition, the book reads very well and flows smoothly; not at all like a textbook. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about the influence of religion in today's politics.

Stunned election night 2004? What you should have known.

If you barely recognize the America we're living in and want to know how we got here, this book is revelatory. Gilgoff calmly and dispassionately explicates the rise to power of the religious right. The Moral Majority, the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family are the showy vehicles--there's a whole lot more beneath the hood. Gilgoff has meticulously researched how congregations, pastors, think tanks, lobbiests, GOP operatives have combined into an awesomely effective political machine. This is the definitive how-done manual. And it's a great read too.

How James Dobson and the Evangelicals influence the USA

First let it be said that this book is not a criticism of Dr. Dobson, Focus on the Family, or Evangelical Christians. This book is an account of how Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson have grown over the years. Dan Gilgoff offers insight to how the Movement has grown and changed from its origins, as well as Dobson's roots and how Dobson's radio broadcasts can influnce the American voter as it did in the last direction. Gilgoff has written a non partisan book which can be enjoyed by followers and adversaries. Great read for all followers of (or those interested in) Dobson and Focus on the Family, as well as Evangelicals (to learn more about Dobson) and anyone who is into politics (might be a good read for a poly sci class or perhaps a modern religions course)

Treasure Trove of information...without Bias

This book is packed with information about how politics and religion intersect in today's politics. The unusual thing about the Jesus Machine is that Gilgoff doesn't seem to lean one way or the other. It seems like folks on both sides trust him and talk. That's cool. And it will be fun to watch what happens in the '08 elections now that I feel like I know so much more inside stuff.