David Kuo came to Washington wanting to use his Christian faith to end abortion, strengthen marriage, and help the poor. He reached the heights of ...
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May 05, 2008
Heather
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Definitely a must read for Christians in America. Kuo exposes the dark political manipulation of the modern day church by both government officials and well-respected Christian leaders. The power play between money and faith is at the forefront of Kuo's sincere portrayal of what life at the top is really like and his own humbling journey of self-exploration.
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Jun 18, 2007
Heather
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This book by a former White House official is critical of the marriage of Christians and Republicans, the lack of compassion for the poor among both groups, and the lack of policy commitments in the Bush Administration. I have a few quibbles--his tone is sometimes whiny and self-important. But I think his critiques are just and his history chilling, particularly his account of the Bush tax cuts. Oh, for more Christians like Billy Graham, willing to minister to power without courting it or believ
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Dec 16, 2009
Sarah
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I have a friend (who did not read the book herself, but was forced to sit through my "blow-by-blow" account of it) who knows someone currently working in the Office of Faith Based Initiatives in Washington where David Kuo worked. When asked her take on his book, she said his characterization of the Evangelical leaders was not fair or accurate. I'm not sure if those were provided talking points or what, but if that's what anyone takes away from this book as Kuo's message, that only serv
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Dec 16, 2009
Maureen
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kuo worked in the bush administration's office for faith based initiatives. this is his account of the work and the politics to accomplish it.
i found the book to be humble and honest, written by a man who admits that he was part of the pandering machine of politics and their attempt to woo evangelicals in modern history.
this book inspired me to talk less politics in the 2008 election and DO more mercy and justice- like Jesus.
i found the book to be humble and honest, written by a man who admits that he was part of the pandering machine of politics and their attempt to woo evangelicals in modern history.
this book inspired me to talk less politics in the 2008 election and DO more mercy and justice- like Jesus.
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Sep 05, 2008
Seytin
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Even though I widely disagree with the author's political views, I have a deep respect for his honesty and courage in writing this book. It takes a lot of conviction to realize when you are involved in something that is wrong. This book is a powerful account of how the Bush administration has corrupted and used people of faith for their own ends. Definitely worth reading.
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May 08, 2008
J
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A self-proclaimed compassionate conservative finds that his party doesn't exactly do what the Jesus would do (except for hating the gays and birth control, of course). Kuo essentially confirms that federal funds were sent to vulnerable Republican districts for purely political reasons. The lengths taken to exploit federal dollars makes Tammany Hall look like amateur hour.
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Aug 02, 2010
Eric
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David Kuo describes in concrete modern terms why thoughtful western nation-builders have always insisted on the separation of church and state.
He describes his desire to use his Christian faith to end abortion, strenthen marriage and help the poor. He worked for John Ashcroft, Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson and Bob Dole. Ultimately he spent 3 years as second in command of President Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Commun ity Initiatives. He dreamed of fusing his faith and his politices. More...
He describes his desire to use his Christian faith to end abortion, strenthen marriage and help the poor. He worked for John Ashcroft, Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson and Bob Dole. Ultimately he spent 3 years as second in command of President Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Commun ity Initiatives. He dreamed of fusing his faith and his politices. More...
Apr 26, 2010
Jackie
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I have become more and more concerned at the increasing presence of religion and religious leaders in politics. Although I believe that every citizen should participate fully in our democracy, I also believe that mixing religion and politics is a sad and dangerous thing. I am more and more convinced that politicians are using religion to further their political gains while doing little or nothing to help citizens. David Kuo was an active member of Pres. George Bush's Office of Faith-Based and
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Jan 28, 2008
Margot
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A wonderful behind-the-scenes look at President Bush's faith based initiatives and how they were used for political purposes. Author David Kuo is also very honest about his own struggles with living by his faith. I wish more conservatives cared about the poor which, of course, is at the core of Jesus' teachings.
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Dec 17, 2009
Amy
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I watched an interview with David Kuo and was instantly attracted to his sincerity. I treated the book a little like a textbook about the dance the Republican party has been playing with the Christian church in America. It was enlightening and, in a way, encouraging.
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Dec 06, 2008
Shaun
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David Kuo story takes the path of mixing politics with faith and the potential outcome of that concoction. He set out to make a difference for Christ by going to Washington, he wrote speeches for several politicians including W. Bush. He took over the Faith Based Initiatives program, where he provides incite to how specific politicians meant well or attempted to exploit religious ideals for votes. However, he discusses how he slowly crept out of church to watch political shows on Sunday morning.
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Feb 22, 2008
Paul
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A great book for Christians considering politics, warning that simply because one is Christian does not protect them from being seduced by the power of politics. Also describes how the tenuous relationship between evangelicals and the Republican Party.
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Sep 14, 2008
Ben
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Interesting look into money and power and their invasion of the clash of faith and politics on capitol hill.
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Aug 02, 2011
This insider account of how the second Bush administration pandered to Christian rightists by claiming to be promoting faith-based programs, while actually failing to do that, may make secularists and liberals happy. For someone who obviously thinks of himself as a head-in-the-clouds idealist, Kuo is strikingly good at describing the nuts and bolts of how the US government pretends to increase or decrease funding for one program or another, while in reality nothing's changed. Kuo chose to reject
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Jul 10, 2008
Chris
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A very interesting but disturbing book. David Kuo tells of his experiences as a staffer and speech writer for conservatives like John Ashcroft, Bob Dole, and George W. Bush. As a Christian who entered politics to bring positive change in the country, he shares his disappointment and frustration at religious politics and at the cynical use of Christian organizations by the Republican political machine. Kuo includes many interesting anecdotes from the inside, including reflections on Karl Rove
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Mar 20, 2008
Jeremy
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A very good and readable book from the inside, not just of the Bush administration, but the Christian right movement in Washington. Kuo writes compellingly of his becoming a born-again Christian, and of what that eventually did to his politics. Hearing Chuck Colson speak at Brown in the late 80s convinced him to shift to the Republican side, and put his faith in touch with his politics.
You get some nice portraits of various rightwingers, like Ralph Reed, Jerry Falwell (Kuo REALLY More...
You get some nice portraits of various rightwingers, like Ralph Reed, Jerry Falwell (Kuo REALLY More...
Jan 01, 2008
Joshb
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Definitely the first book to recommend to hardcore social conservative relatives, this memoir is a intimate look at two 'insides' which can seem impenetrable to anyone in the outsider position - the policy-making chambers of the Bush White House, and the world of the organized religious right. A great look at the question - how did a Republican who spoke so relatively much about poverty as a candidate (i.e. 'compassionate conservatism') so utterly fail to turn that rhetoric into reality? And how
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Jan 03, 2010
Giancarlo
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This es a book about Politics and Religion and how they not realate to each other. A confusion in mixing these two subjects will always end in a catastrophe.
David Kuo worked at the West Wing of the White House from 2001-2003. So the book could be divided in two different categories: autobiography and Politics.
Tempting Faith is a story of political seduction to use religion as a means to an end outside of itself...Kuo`s advice is: "Take a break from politics and focu More...
David Kuo worked at the West Wing of the White House from 2001-2003. So the book could be divided in two different categories: autobiography and Politics.
Tempting Faith is a story of political seduction to use religion as a means to an end outside of itself...Kuo`s advice is: "Take a break from politics and focu More...
Mar 25, 2010
Allison
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Very honest and thought provoking. David Kuo tells of his personal experience in the White House, including his witness of the failure of the "compassionate conservative" movement. This book serves as a reminder that our ultimate hope is in God, not in man or politics, and that our politics should be shaped by our faith, not the other way around. I appreciate that his aim was not to specifically bash the Bush administration, but rather to highlight how power can cause any man or wom
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Jul 06, 2008
Dayna
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One thing I have never understood about fundamentalist Christians is why so many of them seem to be so gung-ho on lower taxes. I always thought Jesus was about sacrificing to help the poor, but perhaps my Christian education as a wee lass was remiss? Kuo attacks this presumption and more head on. He does come from the "we-should-help-the-poor-show-mercy-to-the-less-fortunate-be-humble" born again vein. But he details how that gets corrupted by politics. His conclusion seems to be that
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Jul 16, 2008
Gina
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David Kuo tells his story about his frustrations in the faith-based initiative office of the White House with a lot of honesty and humility. His faith seems genuine and he really does care about social justice issues. It was interesting to read about his "seduction" into politics and how he justified what he was doing as "God's calling." This book is important for any Christian who has struggled with the religious right's political power and influence. It's also important for
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Aug 10, 2010
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Jun 17, 2010
Joel
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A fantastic story of personal faith, aggravation, and a real, revealing look at why faith and politics are a dangerous mix. Kuo details how the goals of faith and politics are diametrically opposed to each other, and the true corrupting power of politics on otherwise well-meaning and good-hearted people. A great read for every Christian aggravated with politics, and an absolute must-read for those that think it's going their way.
May 14, 2008
Colin
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The main purpose of this book, as far as I can tell, is to make the main character not look like a jerk dsepite being head of the office of faith-based whatever in the White House. Which it does, I guess, but he is still clearly in charge of some very jerky stuff and there's only so much shine he's going to be able to put on his own damned image. On the plus side you can read this in like three hours and not really miss anything.
Jul 21, 2007
Nick
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Curious about what happened to compassionate conservatism? David Kuo's memoir explains. The best part of the book is his proposal that people of faith refrain from politics, except for voting, for two years, spending the energy they would use for politics on prayer, service and reflection on issues like poverty and climate change.
Jan 14, 2008
Jennifer
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Interesting take on how the Bush administration used the "Christian right" to their advantage to win elections while duping those "devout" people of faith. Gave a great inside look into the current administration by a man who worked very close to the President.
Oct 02, 2008
Elizabeth
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Anyone still under the delusion that religion and politics mix should read this.
Feb 11, 2012
