NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR • FROM THE HOST OF “THE THINKING ATHEIST”
A BREAKOUT HIT IN RELIGION & SOCIAL COMMENTARY
“Bold, fearless, and sharply insightful.”
—Praised by readers of progressive thought and secular voices
A provocative and timely exploration challenging fundamentalism and reclaiming faith, resonating widely with audiences seeking reason, nuance, and intellectual honesty.
What happens when faith is used as a weapon instead of a guide?
In Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang, humor and hard truth collide in a bold critique of how religion and politics intersect in modern America. With sharp wit and unapologetic clarity, Fugelsang challenges the narratives that blur the line between spiritual belief and political agenda.
Through a mix of satire, personal reflection, and cultural analysis, the book explores how faith—often rooted in compassion and inclusion—can be distorted into a tool for division and control. It questions not religion itself, but the ways it is sometimes used to justify intolerance, power, and exclusion.
But confronting these contradictions isn’t comfortable. It forces readers to examine deeply held beliefs, question authority, and face the tension between ideals and reality. The risk lies in misunderstanding the message—or rejecting it entirely.
As the conversation unfolds, one central idea remains: true faith should inspire empathy, not fear. So where do we draw the line between belief and manipulation?
Provocative, humorous, and deeply thought-provoking, this book invites readers to reflect, question, and engage. Because understanding the difference might be more important than ever.
Review
“Potent . . . The author’s blend of theology and humor energizes his thought-provoking talking points. Christians looking to push back against fundamentalist teachings will find plenty of ammunition in this acerbic and accessible treatise.” —Publishers Weekly
“Writing as a follower of Jesus steeped in the values of social justice, Fugelsang’s rebuttal to the depravity at the heart of the Christian nationalist project deftly exposes its leaders’ cynical exploitation of faith for politics and power. An absorbing call to action, and much needed at this perilous moment.” —Katherine Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of Money, Lies, and God
“I always thought I grew up very Catholic. Then I met John and realized, I was Diet Catholic. Same guilt; half the calories. This book is a must read in a time where faith seems to leave many with very little faith. It’s not about religion. It’s a book about beliefs. And John does a fantastic job explaining the difference between the two.” —Cristela Alonzo, author of Music to My Years
“As John Fugelsang irreverently documents, that Christian Deity has yet to declare affiliation to, and/or affinity for, any political party! And yet, throughout history and the present day, Christian principles of faith, hope, and charity are being co-opted and weaponized to erroneously represent fear and justify hate. In keeping with Christian principles, John welcomes all to this conversation. But, as always, he suffers ZERO FOOLS.” —Anita Baker
“John Fugelsang nails this in his book, Separation of Church and Hate: The Bible says in 1 John 4:8 that ‘God Is Love.’ Period…end of story!” —Willie Nelson
“America’s soul needs scrubbing and here is a brush. Is this book the truth and the light? I can’t say, but it is certainly the hypocritical modern Christian’s worst nightmare.” —Nick Offerman
“God, I love this book. So brilliant and wise, rich in spiritual knowledge and humor, an exhilarating response to Christian nationalists, and a master class in Jesus, the true and Jesus-y Jesus, of love, caring and forgiveness.” —Anne Lamott
“Commentator and comedian Fugelsang invites readers into an openhearted conversation about the uneasy, unsavory union of politics and religion—not an easy conversation, he allows, but a necessary one. He invites laughter as he walks through scripture in order to reclaim it. . . . What’s a concerned, sane person to do when fundamentalists, frauds, and fascists become the face of a faith? In his first book, Fugelsang’s funny, everyman tone and commonsense approach deliver a compelling call to help fight back.” —Booklist
Separation of Church and Hate is the windswept saga of one woman’s determined gumption to overcome—wait. Sorry. Wrong book. Separation of Church and Hate is the best (and only) book you will ever read that restores biblical quotes to the people who actually said them, putting a halt to the current crop of political ‘religious’ activists using Jesus’ alleged sermons to support their own intolerance and campaigns of hate. I learned so much. No, Jesus never said ‘The New York Mets are a good young team.’ That was Thomas Aquinas. Read this book.” —Elayne Boosler
“I don’t recognize the hateful version of ‘Christianity’ a lot of people have sold to the masses. John has written a necessary, HILARIOUS book that breaks down all the ways the hateful have gotten it wrong, while simultaneously giving those of us who believe that Jesus is LOVE the needed reminder that we aren’t crazy. Thank you, John!” —Yvette Nicole Brown
“I laughed out loud. I paused to think. If so many of our nation’s wounds come from the weaponization of Christianity, John reminds us that holding onto faith, hope, and love is essential in our work to tend to our shared trauma. In Separation of Church and Hate, a comedian shall lead them—take and read.” —Joel Edward Goza, author of Rebirth of a Nation: Reparations and Remaking America, and Professor of Ethics at the HBCU Simmons College of Kentucky
“I always thought I grew up very Catholic. Then I met John and realized, I was Diet Catholic. Same guilt; half the calories. This book is a must read in a time where faith seems to leave many with very little faith. It’s not about religion. It’s a book about beliefs. And John does a fantastic job explaining the difference between the two.” —Cristela Alonzo, author of Music to My Years
“As John Fugelsang irreverently documents, that Christian Deity has yet to declare affiliation to, and/or affinity for, any political party! And yet, throughout history and the present day, Christian principles of faith, hope, and charity are being co-opted and weaponized to erroneously represent fear and justify hate. In keeping with Christian principles, John welcomes all to this conversation. But, as always, he suffers ZERO FOOLS.” —Anita Baker
“If there is one thing John Fugelsang is going to do, that is cut through all of the BS and speak truth, whether you like it or not. And he does that in this book. Repeatedly.” —Roland S. Martin, author of White Fear: How the Browning of America Is Making White Folks Lose Their Minds
About the Author
John Fugelsang has been murdered on CSI and picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church. He’s a Drama League–nominated actor, comedian, and broadcaster who’s hosted many TV shows and podcasts, including the acclaimed Tell Me Everything series on SiriusXM Progress. He’s gotten George Harrison to give his final performance on VH1, debated Jerry Falwell and David Duke, and made many appearances on MSNBC, FOX News, and CNN. His epic PBS road trip film on the American Dream, Dream On, directed by Roger Weisberg, was named Best Documentary at the New York Independent Film Festival. Fugelsang lives in New York City with his family.
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