Separation of Church and Hate

A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds

De: John Fugelsang

Narrado por: John Fugelsang

In the spirit of George Carlin and Christopher Hitchens, the son of a former Catholic nun and a Franciscan brother delivers a deeply irreverent and biblically correct takedown of far-right Christian hatred—a book for believers, atheists, agnostics, and anyone who’ll ever have to deal with a Christian nationalist.

For more than two centuries, the United States Constitution has given us the right to a society where church and state exist independently. But Christianity has been hijacked by far-right groups and politicians who seek to impose their narrow views on government, often to justify oppressive and unequal policies. The extremists who weaponize the Bible for earthly power aren’t actually on the side of Jesus—and historically they never have been. How do we fight back against those acting—literally—in bad faith?

Comedian and broadcaster John Fugelsang finally offers the answers. In this informative, perspective-shifting book, Fugelsang takes listeners through common fundamentalist arguments on abor­tion, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and more—exposing their hypocrisy and inaccuracy through scripture, common sense, and deeply inappropriate humor. It offers practical tips on how to debate your loved one, coworker, or neighbor on the issues that divide us using that Bible they claim to follow.

But Fugelsang’s message is about more than just taking down hypocrites. It’s about fighting for the love, mercy, and service that are supposed to make up the heart of Christianity. Told with Fugelsang’s trademark blend of radical honesty, comedy, and deep political and religious knowledge, Separation of Church and Hate is the book every American needs today. It’s a rallying cry for compassion and clarity for anyone of any faith who’s sick of religion being used as a cloaking device for hate.

©2025 John Fugelsang (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Brilliant and essential for all to read / listen

Bible is one of the most dangerous books ever cobbled together - needs to removed from every hotel room LOL

Authentic speech

Honest discussion about the current political and religious time. Brings out thought provoking talk about how we need sincere individuals in leadership

Logical & Loving

Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. One can only hope this indicates that the tide is shifting. With humor, thoughtfulness, erudition and personal antidotes, the author reminds us of the true intention of Christ’s teachings- LOVE. Many thanks.

Wonderful Book and a Tool I Plan to Use

I loved this book. It answered all kinds of questions I’ve had and gave me a few more. Fugelsang, like most authors, is the best narrator for the book and as a comedian, he is particularly brilliant at it.

A conherent take on how bible verses are twisted

Written with humor and heart, this book give a frank look at how cherry picked bible verses used to hurts, marginalize, and descriminate. It gives clarity to the 2000 year old game of telephone that is the bible.

Knowledge of religion

I loved the comparison between biblical readings and the Right’s disregard of the word of Christ.

Let those who have ears, hear.

This is a message and a manual for anyone who wants to follow Christ instead of Christians. It is the best non-fiction book I have read this year and should be on every bookshelf as a reference. John Fuglesang is an excellent writer and narrator. His logic, mastery of the gospel, and sincere conviction that Jesus' message was that we love one another no matter what is refreshing and timely.
By their fruits you will know them.

SO. MUCH. THIS.

Read the Bible with that concordance and this book. It's light with very heavy lessons to lead in love and humanity. Y'know - what Jesus tells us to do. The walk isn't easy but it's sure worth it.

Directly Reproves Anti-Christ Christians

Initially it took me a while to warm up to it. The first 2 hours I kept wondering to myself who it was for. Any right wing or conservative Christian in my life would likely have no tolerance for it, with the pithy, irreverent comments made throughout. As someone deep into the history and critical scholarship I also found some of the representations of Paul to be shallow- but in an understandable way. This book tries to take as canon of a depiction of the acts in the bible as I think it can, which makes sense coming from a Christian. I also know picking a fight over Paul's authentic letters vs the later pseudonymous ones would likely derail the topic, so while I do wish things went more in depth early on, that may just be my taste getting in the way, as many of the claims about Paul don't hold to modern scholarship. If however, one is unaware of this scholarship, it refutes a certain view of Paul which IS accepted in lay churches. Which is why I still give full stars.

The book really picks up in the last 2/3rds though, as direct policy prescriptions are laid bare for the nothing they have ever been. The chapters on Abortion, and Immigration are stellar and the absolute highlight of the book. The other topics like white supremacy, American dude-bro 'Christianity' and the insecure flaccid men who idealize power and control is also taken behind the shed, as is its due. The gun passages are good as well, though more depth could have been given. The point is still valid and made, but I do like a total shutdown approach.

The chapter on Homosexuality was another good one, though when I think of convincing others, I do think the irreverence is perhaps still a barrier to entry if this book tried to convince someone. Then again, America's literacy rates are rising, and you can bet most the people who can't read are also the ones who need to most.

Great book, the history of ceding historical institutions to the right is a grave misstep of recent generations. A demon has swallowed America, and it takes the form of a white Jesus with a gun. I've ordered a hardcover now, and will add it to my shelf.

Indispensable

As a an ex-evangelical who still believes in and seeks to follow Jesus, I found this book to be difficult, enlightening, and absolutely essential to my understanding and the path forward.