Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds by John Fugelsang Narrator: John Fugelsang
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on September 9, 2025
Source: Purchased
Genres: Politics, Religion & Spirituality
Length: 9 hrs 24 mins
Pages: 304
Format: Audiobook
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A deeply irreverent and Biblically correct takedown of the far-right and their co-opting of religion, and guide to engaging them in effective conversational combat
For more than two centuries the United States constitution has given Americans the right to live in a society where church and state exist independently and without conflict. So why is Christianity suddenly being co-opted by far-right groups, politicians, friends, and family members to justify oppressive and unequal policies? And how do we fight back against those acting—literally—in bad faith?
Separation of Church and Hate, by comedian and TV and radio host John Fugelsang—himself the child of a former Catholic nun and Franciscan brother—finally offers the answers. In this informative, perspective-shifting guide, Fugelsang takes readers through common talking points and arguments—God condemns abortion, gay marriage is a sin, guns are an ordained right, and more—and exposes their hypocrisy and inaccuracy through scripture, philosophy, and plain old common sense.
Told with Fugelsang’s trademark blend of radical honesty, relevant humor, and deep political and religious knowledge, Separation of Church and Hate is the book every American today needs. It's a return to civility, a rallying cry for compassion and clarity, and a reclamation of the values and truths Americans hold dear. It's for anyone raised Christian but now disillusioned by organized religion; for Democrats, progressives, liberals, and moderates fed up with the right wing pretending to own Christianity; for atheists, agnostics, and any one of any faith who's sick of fundamentalists cloaking hatred in religion. It's for everyone who's realized that one doesn't have to subscribe to a religion to be a good person.
I found Separation of Church and Hate interesting, informative, and funny. But I’m an anti-death penalty, anti-gun, pro-LGBTQI rights Christian who believes we should provide food, health care and safety to people. I attends church every Sunday and work in the office every weekday afternoon. Mostly, I just agree with Fugelsang, who believes in a Christianity embodied by love, mercy, and service. If you don’t, your mileage may vary.
Fugelsang takes every hot-button issue- abortion, universal health care, gun control, etc., shows us the scriptures the extreme right tends to use to support them and teaches us why, in his opinion, they’re being misinterpreted or are more Paul’s opinion and hang-ups than Jesus’ actual views. He then points to other scriptures that support a more loving, graceful, and inclusive understanding. I can’t really judge how solid his theology is and I might question a couple of his suggestions, but overall I think he makes some really good points. I also appreciate that he includes thoughts and opinions from well known theologians from various religions to support his arguments.
Fugelsang narrates the book himself and does a fabulous job. I do maybe wish I had the print version, since it would be so much easier to mark things and refer back to it on occasion.
About John Fugelsang
John Joseph Fugelsang (born September 3, 1969) is an American actor, comedian, writer, television host, political commentator and television personality.
As an actor, Fugelsang has appeared on film, television, and stage, including CSI, Providence, Coyote Ugly, Becker, The Michael Richards Show, and Savage in Limbo. Fugelsang also appeared in the 2015 documentary film Dream On. As a comedian, he has performed at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen and the Just for Laughs Festival in Montréal and on the talk show Politically Incorrect. In 2007, he premiered the solo show All The Wrong Reasons Off Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop.
Fugelsang has hosted and co-hosted numerous shows, including VH1 Archives, America’s Funniest Home Videos, John McEnroe’s short-lived CNBC talk show in 2004, CNBC’s Bullseye, Red Eye on Fox News, World Series of Blackjack on GSN and the political talk show Viewpoint. Fugelsang is also a contributor to the HuffPost weblog, a regular commentator and guest on The Stephanie Miller Show, and has been featured on CNN, Fox News, Dennis Miller, The Young Turks, Air America, CNBC, and MSNBC. Since 2015, Fugelsang has been the host of Tell Me Everything, a “progressive talk” show on Sirius XM Insight.
Fugelsang’s first book, Separation of Church and Hate – A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, was published in 2025.
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