Netflix’s newest documentary, Wild Wild Country, about the 1980s Rajneeshee sect that dominated the headlines in Oregon during the early-to-mid-1980s, is fascinating, informative and insightful. I found it also to be unsatisfying. I’ve long been familiar with the story of … Continue reading New Netflix docu treads gingerly on guru’s top follower
I can’t help but reflect on two conversations I had one day last week. The two persons I talked with have almost nothing in common — except that they are the type of people that some want to keep out … Continue reading Immigration debate becomes personal
The West Wing has long been one of my favorite TV shows — it ranks with Breaking Bad as the best small-screen series of all time. One of the unusual aspects of The West Wing is that it emphasized character … Continue reading Sorkin comes up a winner with Molly’s Game
Did the late Mormon apostle L. Tom Perry really endorse an alt-right agenda that is little more than nicely packaged racism? That’s certainly the impression you’d get from following social-media feeds of the mononymous Ayla, the most outspoken member of … Continue reading Fact check: Do LDS teachings support the alt-right?
It would be difficult to write about the story of Jim Jones and the 1978 mass murder-suicide (more than 900 dead) without sensationalizing the story. But Jeff Guinn succeeds admirably in the authoritative The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and … Continue reading Guinn’s authoritative book on Jim Jones lets reader decide
In his book on the 2016 presidential campaign, John Kasich shared enough of the details to keep the book interesting, but not enough to satisfy. Continue reading Kasich’s book describes him as too good to be true
Francses FitzGerald’s newest history book chronicles the U.S. religious right beginning with the First Great Awakening. Continue reading FitzGerald book thoroughly chronicles rise of religious right
Making fun of Kim Davis’ hair is in the same league ridiculing Muslim women for wearing headscarves. Continue reading Let’s cut out the personal attacks
I spent much of this morning watching Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally on Cspan.org, and I’m still not sure what I saw. Continue reading What religion was Glenn Beck preaching?
