Not really any new information here, nor would one expect it from a comedian. However, what this does is break down what so many Christians feel--that their religion has been co-opted by the political right--into an accessible format. This will be popular.

If you know John Fugelsang, either as a podcast host, actor, comedian or otherwise, then you likely have a good idea of what to expect from Fugelsang's "Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds."

"Separation of Church and Hate" likely qualifies as a no-holds barred approach toward taking the Bible back from the Christian nationalism that currently permeates throughout American politics and from a far-right Christianity that often weaponizes what it means to be Christian.

I suppose "Separation of Church and Hate" is, in fact, no-holds barred. However, Fugelsang infuses these brief yet pointed essays with such humor and humanity that it lacks the often tit-for-tat approach of many who've written on these subjects in written years.

While one may quickly dismiss such a book written by, gasp, a comedian, Fugelsang is the son of a former Catholic nun and a Franciscan brother who's well-informed, intelligent, and insightful while also being absolutely relentless in a way that brings to mind the likes of George Carlin and Christopher Hitchens among others.

"Separation of Church and Hate" is funny. However, you absolutely won't miss Fugelsang's point that Christianity has been hijacked by far-right groups and politicians bent on imposing their narrow views on government and society to justify their oppressive and bad faith.

There's really not a fundamentalist argument not addressed here - abortion, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and others. Fugelsang digs through scripture and biblical history to right wrongs, expose hypocrisy, and outright call-out those who would misuse scripture for their own agendas.

Along the way, the Fugelsang that we know and love rises to the surface. This isn't written from a political agenda, per se. This isn't necessarily written from a point of actual argument. Fugelsang is fighting, however, he's fighting to reclaim a Christianity embodied by love, mercy, and service. It would be easy for "Separation of Church and Hate" to spiral into a different kind of hate, however, what excites me most within the pages of "Separation of Church and Hate" is that Fugelsang radiates love and compassion throughout while still relentlessly making point after point.

You can likely imagine that "Separation of Church and Hate" won't be embraced by everyone, however, for those who long to restore sanity to the public and private expression of what it means to be a Christian this is a vital, necessary, funny, and well-informed exploration and, yes, "calling" to make that happen.

Wow, this book was really unexpected 😮 5 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for sure!!! I was not familiar with this author/comedian so I had not anticipated this book to be so hilarious.

Coming into this book I'd expected a really aggressive argument especially given the title and cover......and it was a very thorough argument 🤔 but not really aggressive. The book had lots of humor which I think really helped digest such a difficult subject matter.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was how it was organized. So often I'll pick up a book wanting to feel empowered when all I end up feeling is stressed out, tired and hopeless. That's definitely NOT this book. I really appreciated how it was laid out like a guide book, going section by section with different arguments one may have with people pushing Christian hate. (I mean it LITERALLY says 'guide' on the front 😅 but come on we've all picked up books that are supposed to be helpful but they really aren't, so kudos to this author for writing an ACTUALLY helpful book 😊)

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book. This review was written voluntarily.

I think you may enjoy this book if like me, you are confused on why a religion preaching love and acceptance is now seen as hateful and hostile.