C Street

The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy

By: Jeff Sharlet

Narrated by: Jeremy Guskin

C Street - where piety, politics, and corruption meet Jeff Sharlet is the only journalist to have reported from inside the C Street House, the Fellowship residence known simply by its Washington, DC address. The house has lately been the scene of notorious political scandal, but more crucially it is home to efforts to transform the very fabric of American democracy. And now, after laying bare its tenants' past in The Family, Sharlet reports from deep within fundamentalism in today's world, revealing that the previous efforts of religious fundamentalists in America pale in comparison with their long-term ambitions.

When Barack Obama entered the White House, headlines declared the age of culture wars over. In C Street, Sharlet shows why these conflicts endure and why they matter now - from the sensationalism of Washington sex scandals to fundamentalism's long shadow in Africa, where Ugandan culture warriors determined to eradicate homosexuality have set genocide on simmer.

We've reached a point where piety and corruption are not at odds but one and the same. Reporting with exclusive sources and explosive documents from C Street, the war on gays in Uganda, and the battle for the soul of America's armed forces - waged by a 15,000-strong movement of officers intent on "reclaiming territory for Christ in the military"

Sharlet reveals not the last gasp of old-time religion but the new front lines of fundamentalism.

Critic reviews

"At once a gripping political thriller, a masterpiece of investigative journalism, and a timely call to arms, C Street reveals all that can be hidden within an innocuous Washington address. Jeff Sharlet delivers a warning that the blurring of the line between church and state is both an urgent local problem and a matter of global concern."—Peter Manseau, author of Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World's Holy Dead and Songs for the Butcher's Daughter

"Jeff Sharlet has an incredibly rare double talent: the instincts of an investigative reporter coupled with the soul of a historian."—Hanna Rosin, author of God's Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America

"Jeff Sharlet is one of the very best writers covering the politics of religion."—Ken Silverstein, author of Turkmeniscam: How Washington Lobbyists Fought to Flack for a Stalinist Dictatorship

"Few writers can pull off investigative journalism, historical research, and elegant storytelling. Sharlet does all this with a story that a lot of people don't want to hear and others won't believe."—Diane Winston, author of Red-Hot and Righteous: The Urban Religion of The Salvation Army

"[Sharlet] writes with insight, verve, and, thankfully, none of the bogus punditry and bad sociology that often passes for informed discourse about the contemporary role of religion in public life. His refreshing narrative style is as engaging as his groundbreaking information."—Frederick Clarkson, The Public Eye

"Un-American theocrats can only fool patriotic American democrats when there aren't critics like Jeff Sharlet around-careful scholars and soulful writers who understand both the majesty of faith and the evil of its abuses."—Rick Perlstein, author of Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America

A revelation about current politics

In this second book, a follow up to “The Family,” Jeff Sharlett necessarily covers some of the same terrain. Yet he manages in his eloquent and erudite words to more clearly describe the global nature of the mission to which these “Jesus as holy warrior” types dedicate themselves.

They have settled upon a novel depiction of Jesus, as a sort of “anti-Jesus.” Instead of favoring the poor and the weak and healing their needs, The Family’s Jesus “chooses leaders, as God chose David…” These leaders are then to be accepted by the Family’s missionaries, no matter their failings. It is a rather sick perversion of Jesus’ message (as I understand it). Nevertheless, understanding the source of the zealotry of too many of our political leaders helped me understand the events of recent years.

Mr. Sharlett is well studied and well-spoken. Whereas I would more whole-heartedly condemn this perversion of Christ’s teachings, Mr. Sharlett is more circumspect. I commend him on his restraint.

what is the trouble with Congress now? read!

if you haven't read the family for a full background, I suggest it, although this. book is self explanatory. Jeff Sharlet is an excellent writer. this book explains how Cristian fundamentalism is destroying our government. it is frightening to see how many of our senators. congressmen, and judges now believe that God wants the USA to become a theocracy. this theocracy of course is run by the chosen elite, selected by the family. it reads almost like science fiction...but unfortunately it is reality.

Not Much Of A Sequel

If you read The Family, save your time and money. If you haven't read The Family, get that book first. And I *highly* suggest you get The Family.

Very important content for our times

Well researched and well written and read! Excellent.
In Trump days, with Pence recruited into the family by Chuck Colson, this is so vital to know about.

A MUST READ FOR CONGRESS WHO CARES ABOUT DEMOCRACY

Breath taking, eye opening, just like The Family, impossible to put down.
Hopefully action provoking for us all.