In her singular, smart-alecky tone, satirist Becky Garrison takes aim at the battles between the warring political factions in America’ s churches and illuminates the shortcomings of both the Religious Right and the Progressive Left. Consistent with the upbeat mission of the magazine she regularly writes for, the Wittenburg Door, Garrison underscores those instances when, instead of creating ideological havens for other like-minded political souls to gather, the church instead chooses to receive the other based on the greatest commandment: love one’ s neighbor as oneself.

Becky Garrison (New York, NY) is Senior Contributing Editor for the Wittenburg Door, the oldest, largest, and " pretty much only" religious satire magazine in the United States. She has a dual master of divinity/social work degree from Yale University and Columbia University.

"No Christian faction, not liberals, mainliners, evangelicals or fundamentalists, escapes the smarty-pants treatment from this senior contributing editor of the religious satire publication, The Wittenburg Door. Garrison assumes a gentle 'above it all' attitude, redirecting the church's attention to the Beatitudes and to Jesus' 'great commandment' (to love God first and love others as ourselves). She also argues for renewed separation of church and state, noting Jesus' tendency to serve 'as a prophetic voice to proclaim the Word of God without being a pawn of the Roman government.' Garrison is especially tough on those who publicly claim to have God on their side. 'Given that my last name ain't Falwell, Robertson, or LaHaye, I can't claim to speak for Christ,' she states. But don't for a moment think Garrison blames all of life's problems on the religious right. She's blessed with the ability to observe, cringe at and poke fun at anyone who insists on a 'correct Christian response' to complex social and political matters. If you like the Door's approach to the lighter side of Christian culture, or if you just need a good laugh after reading too many serious religion books, it doesn't get much better than this." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

People are Talking About "Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church"

"If you like The Door's approach to the lighter side of Christian culture, or if you just need a good laugh after reading too many serious religion books, it doesn't get much better than this."

— "Publishers Weekly"

"Becky Garrison is speaking out, and I hope others gain courage by reading her punchy, provocative, intelligent, and energetic new book. And yes, she jabs with both her elbows, so both left and right can get some needed bruising. Highly recommended."

— Brian D. McLaren, pastor (crcc.org), author (anewkindofchristian.com)

"An unforgettable tour through the antics of popular American Christian culture, investigating every clue that might lead to a flickering trace of the whereabouts of Jesus Christ and his teachings."

— Chris Harper, chief editor, "LandoverBaptist.org"

"Somehow, somewhere the true spirit of Christianity has been co-opted by a political and economic movement. Somehow the true meaning of the cross has been sublimated by 'straw man' rhetoric over guns, gays, and abortion. What the hell's going on here? "Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church" is funny, infuriating, angry, dogmatic, insightful, and very, very scary. A fascinating, compelling read."

— Ole Anthony, publisher, "The Wittenburg Door," The "World's Pretty Much Only Religious Humor" and "Satire Magazine"

"Like Sarah giggling behind the tent flap (Genesis 18:12), Becky Garrison compels us to confront the pomposity and presumptuousness of our overripe piety and our egocentric claims to insights vested only in the Divine. Irreverence or prophetic irony? Read it and decide foryourself."

— Bill J. Leonard, dean and professor of church history, Wake Forest University Divinity School

"The only time Jesus got really angry was when religious people were behaving badly. Becky Garrison restrains herself from overturning the pews of fat megachurches, but she's a true follower of the troublemaking Jesus. In this provocative and thoughtful book, she asks the tough questions that Christians and churches of all traditions need to face today."

— Simon Jenkins, editor, "ShipofFools.com"

With her satiric perspective, Garrison tips sacred cows on both sides of the political fence, showing both liberals and conservatives a higher way based on God's call to love one another.

A master of satire with a theological black belt, Becky Garrison shines a bright light on hypocrisy from both sides of the political spectrum, exposing how both red and blue Christians hold hostage the teachings of Jesus in service to their own partisan gain. What's lacking is a true understanding of Christ's mandate to love all of humanity--including our enemies--which, if honored, would open the door to honest dialogue and understanding that transcends political labels.