God's Profits: Faith, Fraud, and the Republican Crusade for Values Voters

Author Sarah Posner exposes the activities of Kenneth Copeland, John Hagee, Rod Parsley, T.D. Jakes, and other politically connected, skillfully marketed, and increasingly influential religious leaders. Preaching the "prosperity gospel"???the notion that faith and tithing alone can ensure financial security???both in their churches and over the airwaves, these charismatic leaders scam the gullible even as they enjoy unprecedented access to top Bush Administration officials. Admired by Republican strategists for their antigovernment ideology and authoritarian leadership styles, these televangelists work together to maximize profits; protect themselves legally; influence elections, judicial nominations, and promote their pro-war, apocalyptic ideas.

Gene Lyons won the National Magazine Award in 1980. He has written extensively for "Newsweek, Harper's The Nation, The New Review of Books, Texas Monthly, Entertainment Weekly," and many other magazines. His books include "The Higher Illiteracy" (University of Arkansas, 1988), "Widow's Web" (Simon & Schuster, 1993), and "Fools for Scanda"l (Franklin Square, 1996). He writes a political column for the "Arkansas Democrat-Gazette."