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Separation of Church and Hate

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

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Separation of Church and Hate

By: John Fugelsang
Narrated by: John Fugelsang
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About this listen

 A 2026 Audie Award Finalist for Narration by the Author and Nonfiction

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * 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 readers 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. Bible Study Bibles & Bible Study Christianity Civics & Citizenship Politics & Government Religious Studies Funny Witty

Critic Reviews

"Talk show host/comedian John Fugelsang dedicates this important and timely book to his parents, a Carmelite nun and Franciscan monk who left their orders but remained dedicated to the teachings of Christ. Fugelsang’s warm, companionable voice perfectly conveys his concern that right-wing forces are using the Bible as a prop to justify cruelty, hatred, and absolute power—the very opposite of Jesus’s message. He offers Scripture, verse, and humor to help listeners respond knowledgeably to those who are using religion to spread misinformation and pain. His calming voice reminds us of the compassion, kindness, and tolerance in Jesus’s message and offers hope to those who need ways to talk back to the loud, self-righteous voices of anger and hate currently around us."
All stars
Most relevant
If you didn’t also hear the Audible version you have really missed out on the powerfully delivered humour. Anything but a a boring book- and incredibly helpful to anyone questioning practices in fundamental Christianity that just don’t seem to make sense. This book is only for the brave - if you are fragile about your faith you might want to skip this one.

Insightful, well researched, skillfully irreverent

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I liked the insight to America's Christian Heroes. My government runs differently but we are Allies. and it is interesting to see where and when the tides will change

The Author reads well

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This book gives me hope, so inspiring and encouraging to stay with Love and speak truth and ask the right questions 🙏🥰

Brilliant

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A fresh take on the harms of hatred done in the name of God, this book is straight to the point, brutally confrontational, and, I imagine healing, for those hurt by fundamentalist Christianity. It critiques contemporary Christian nationalism in the USA and challenges the reader to think beyond party-political lines to what a Christian life should look like and value.

Uniquely Helpful

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Love the style, performance and the points. I would recommend it to anyone dealing with the people who try to co-opt the Bible to serve their misogynistic or nationalist agendas.

A brilliant read for our current world!

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