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Most Dangerous Man in America?: Pat Robertson and the Rise of the Christian Coalition
Televangelist Pat Robertson has built one of the most powerful religious-political movements in American history. His Christian Coalition - with its '700 Club' broadcasting fundamentalism tinged with right-wing politics to an audience of millions, its American Center for Law and Justice legal action group attempting to impose far-right Christian ideas via the courts, and the growing number of graduates from its Regents University - wields a mighty sword within the Republican party in at least 25 states while GOP national leaders and presidential hopefuls court its favour. Despite his power, many Americans are not aware of Robertson's extreme political views or his goals for the United States. This book examines the role Robertson plays in contemporary politics and his efforts to influence American society through his various political organisations, businesses, and broadcast empire.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 5, 2024
A SHARP CRITIQUE OF ROBERTSON (circa 1996) FROM AN "AMERICANS UNITED" LEADER
Robert Boston (born 1962) is Assistant Director of Communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State; he has also written 'Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About Separation of Church and State' and 'Close Encounters With the Religious Right: Journeys into the Twilight Zone of Religion and Politics.'
He said in the Introduction to this 1996 book, "Some may complain that I have been too forceful. Robertson supporters may accuse me of penning a 'hatchet job.' I disagree on both counts. Robertson is so powerful that any response to him SHOULD be forceful... Let us stand up to the radical forces that would trash our secular democracy and knock down the wall of separation of church and state wherever they operate." (Pg. 20)
He notes that after graduation from Yale Law School, "Robertson was not particularly interested in religion during this period of his life... he had a reputation for indulging in drink, cards, and women, a reputation that followed him to Yale. In 1954, while still a law school student, Robertson married Adelia (Dede) Elmer. Elmer was pregnant at the time, and ten weeks after the wedding their first child, Timothy, was born... Robertson [during his 1988 presidential campaign] had lied about the date of his wedding to cover up the fact that Dede was pregnant at the time of their wedding." (Pg. 24-25)
He asserts, "The Christian Coalition is essentially an arm of the ultraconservative wing of the Republican party. It exists to elect ultraconservative Republicans to political office." (Pg. 94)
He observes, "It's difficult to know if Robertson actually wrote all or only portions of any of these books. He has been surprisingly frank in admitting that some were ghost-written. One of Robertson's ghost writers, Mel White, who wrote 'America's Dates With Destiny,' later proved to be an embarrassment to Robertson when he came out of the closet, announced his homosexuality, and began publicly opposing Robertson's political agenda." (Pg. 124)
Of Robertson's book 'The New World Order,' he states, "Robertson did get one prediction correct---that the Soviet Union would fall, but even here he had the circumstances wrong. According to Robertson, the USSR was to collapse after a seven-year 'tribulation' period played out within the context of worldwide war. Needless to say, that's not the way it happened." (Pg. 144)
Those who are critical of the so-called "Religious Right" will naturally love the detailed documentation in this book.
Robert Boston (born 1962) is Assistant Director of Communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State; he has also written 'Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About Separation of Church and State' and 'Close Encounters With the Religious Right: Journeys into the Twilight Zone of Religion and Politics.'
He said in the Introduction to this 1996 book, "Some may complain that I have been too forceful. Robertson supporters may accuse me of penning a 'hatchet job.' I disagree on both counts. Robertson is so powerful that any response to him SHOULD be forceful... Let us stand up to the radical forces that would trash our secular democracy and knock down the wall of separation of church and state wherever they operate." (Pg. 20)
He notes that after graduation from Yale Law School, "Robertson was not particularly interested in religion during this period of his life... he had a reputation for indulging in drink, cards, and women, a reputation that followed him to Yale. In 1954, while still a law school student, Robertson married Adelia (Dede) Elmer. Elmer was pregnant at the time, and ten weeks after the wedding their first child, Timothy, was born... Robertson [during his 1988 presidential campaign] had lied about the date of his wedding to cover up the fact that Dede was pregnant at the time of their wedding." (Pg. 24-25)
He asserts, "The Christian Coalition is essentially an arm of the ultraconservative wing of the Republican party. It exists to elect ultraconservative Republicans to political office." (Pg. 94)
He observes, "It's difficult to know if Robertson actually wrote all or only portions of any of these books. He has been surprisingly frank in admitting that some were ghost-written. One of Robertson's ghost writers, Mel White, who wrote 'America's Dates With Destiny,' later proved to be an embarrassment to Robertson when he came out of the closet, announced his homosexuality, and began publicly opposing Robertson's political agenda." (Pg. 124)
Of Robertson's book 'The New World Order,' he states, "Robertson did get one prediction correct---that the Soviet Union would fall, but even here he had the circumstances wrong. According to Robertson, the USSR was to collapse after a seven-year 'tribulation' period played out within the context of worldwide war. Needless to say, that's not the way it happened." (Pg. 144)
Those who are critical of the so-called "Religious Right" will naturally love the detailed documentation in this book.
September 21, 2021
Well researched and notated, a good view of Pat Robertson's and the Christian Coalition's political rise. Accurate for the late 90s when written, but as Mr Boston has recently stated, Robertson's title of most dangerous would now go to Trump.
March 7, 2013
Slightly dated, not as relevant to me as an Australian but has some interesting and disturbing facts about Robertson and his delusional and sly ways. Tended to ramble slightly in parts.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews