WHY I CREATED THIS BLOG
"Republic of Gilead" is a reference to The Handmaid's Tale, a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood about a militant Christian theocracy that forcibly takes over the U.S. The real-life Religious Right is far more subtle, preferring to shape culture and government through rhetoric and policy.
Creationists advocate for the teaching of "intelligent design" in schools. Woefully inadequate abstinence-only sex-ed is taught in the place of comprehensive sex education in many schools around the nation. Advances in LGTB rights are fought tooth and nail by fundamentalists. Women's reproductive rights are endangered by policies that restrict their access to reproductive care. Policies that threaten to blur separation of church and state are proposed in jurisdiction after jurisdiction.
And frankly, that's disturbing.
I started this blog because I wanted to share information about the Religious Right and the challenges it poses to a just and democratic society. I started this blog because I've seen the degree to which fundamentalist and dominionist ideas have trickled into our culture. I started this blog because I believe that, together, progressive-minded people can work toward a society of liberty, equality, and reason.
I started this blog because I do not want to wake up one day in the Republic of Gilead.
WHAT THIS BLOG IS ABOUT
This blog was created to provide information and commentary on the Religious Rights and the spread of Christian fundamentalism in the U.S. As the Religious Right presents challenges to separation of church and state, religious diversity, education, LGBT rights, and women's reproductive rights, it is important that citizens stay informed about this movement.
This blog will feature articles and commentary on Religious Right activities and rhetoric. From time to time, I will also report on my infiltrations of fundamentalist events in the mid-Atlantic region.
WHAT THIS BLOG IS NOT ABOUT
My purpose is not to stereotype or condemn all Christians. I've had the privilege to know many wonderful progressive Christians who reject the principles of fundamentalism. We would do well to remember that progressive Christians, along with many others, participate in struggles for church-state separation, women's rights, LGBT rights, and other noble causes. It is fundamentalist, right-wing Christians and the challenges they pose to democracy that is my concern here.
