Half Nation Under God

by Cora Corbett

In the near future abortion, welfare, social services, education, and communications are regulated solely by state law. Tough lines have been drawn at borders separating Free states from Religious ones. The Federal government has not declared itself a religious nation, but if a handful of Free states transition in the upcoming election, the Moralists will have the votes needed to ratify the Constitution.  Sharon Clark, a reporter for the California Sentinel, is sent to Phoenix to investigate alleged mistreatment of women incarcerated for attempted abortions at the Arpaio State Women’s penitentiary. Martha Garcia is forced into servitude at the Sander’s household to repay the state for her foster care. Reverend Nathan Sanders, chief advisor to Presidential hopeful, Senator Listner, and self-appointed guardian of the white majority will let no one get between him and his holy plan. Barbara Sanders risks everything to head a revolutionary group determined to overthrow her husband and religious rule. As Sharon, Martha, and Barbara work together to expose the corruption behind man’s new laws, their lives and freedom are threatened—not by the God of their enemy, but by those proclaiming the title of shepherd.

342 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[KDog229 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, it was pretty good. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, some parts of it were very far fetched and the writing and editing could use some work but for the most part I liked it and am glad I had the opportunity to read it.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frightening dystopia set in that handy plane of existence, the Near Future. The U.S. is divided into free staes and religious ones. The latter are under patriarchal control of Moralists. Their intrusive fundamentalist Christian theocracy outlaws abortion to the extent that any action that could harm a fetus--or child--gets a woman jail time and her kid(s) taken away by the State.
California is still a free state, with elections coming up, when reporter Sharon Clark heads to religious Arizona to do a story. Pretending to support the Moralists, what she finds in AZ is increasingly and unrelentingly scary, brutal, and accepted. There may be hope in a growing resistance group....
A political thriller extrapolating from the Christian Dominionist vision for the U.S. While it isn't the best writing ever, this book is as timely as ever, envisioning a society that I'm sure Sarah Palin dreams about.