★ 09/01/2017 Despite the close association of the religious and political right in recent American politics, Christianity has not always fit easily within white nationalist movements. Scholar Berry (religious studies, St. Lawrence Univ.) offers an intellectual history of white nationalism that explores Christianity's often suspect place within far right, pan-European white identity movements. White nationalist thinkers, Berry argues, have persistently positioned Christianity as a non-European, Jewish faith alien to white racial community. In place of Christianity, these white nationalists offer spiritual alternatives they believe to be more authentically white. The study's first three chapters examine Revilo Oliver, William Pierce, and Ben Klassen as major figures in anti-Christian white nationalist thought; the last three examine Odinism, racialized esotericism, and the North American New Right as three contexts in which the "biologization of spirituality" has marginalized Christian practice in favor of a racialized faith. Although no study will answer all questions raised, Berry's analysis would have been deepened by discussion of how such a biologized spirituality shapes experiences of gender, sex, sexuality, and reproduction within white nationalist communities. VERDICT While most likely to appeal to subject specialists, this book is a timely contribution to national conversations about religion, race, and politics. Recommended for readers interested in the sociology of religion.—Anna J. Clutterbuck-Cook, Massachusetts Historical Soc.
Blood and Faith provides welcome clarity to the racist Right and where it fits in America's broader religious and ideological milieu.
A rich and deep overview of major white nationalist movements, crafting a book that will enlighten sociologists of religion, race, social movements, and politics.
Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review
A chilling account of the development of a vexing and dangerous form of anti-Christian racial protectionism that has taken hold in some corners of the American far-right.
Berry does a fine job bringing together the ideological, 'biological,' and theological strands of belief that form the bones and sinews of the race movement in the United States.
A book that promises to become a classic treatment of American white nationalist groups that have jettisoned Christianity in favor of ideologies that justify hate.
The Association for the Academic Study of New Religions
A powerful, original, and extremely timely book. Tracing the history of white nationalism in the United States, Berry examines a series of hugely influential but today little known figures and movements, revealing their key role in the broader landscape of American religious, political, and racist discourses. Perhaps most importantly, Berry's book also highlights the continuities between these twentieth century racist currents and our own historical moment, with the rise of the alt-right movement, and the resurgence of white nationalism.
author of The Church of Scientology: A History Hugh Urban
Blood and Faith provides welcome clarity to the racist Right and where it fits in America's broader religious and ideological milieu.-- "Politics and Religion" A book that promises to become a classic treatment of American white nationalist groups that have jettisoned Christianity in favor of ideologies that justify hate.-- "The Association for the Academic Study of New Religions" A chilling account of the development of a vexing and dangerous form of anti-Christian racial protectionism that has taken hold in some corners of the American far-right.-- "Michael J. McVicar, Assistant Professor of Religion, Florida State University" A must-read for all Americans who want to understand the shifting spiritual allegiances of the strengthening white nationalist movements throughout the U.S. and Europe.-- "Publishers Weekly" A powerful, original, and extremely timely book. Tracing the history of white nationalism in the United States, Berry examines a series of hugely influential but today little known figures and movements, revealing their key role in the broader landscape of American religious, political, and racist discourses. Perhaps most importantly, Berry's book also highlights the continuities between these twentieth century racist currents and our own historical moment, with the rise of the alt-right movement, and the resurgence of white nationalism.-- "Hugh Urban, author of The Church of Scientology: A History of a New Religion" A rich and deep overview of major white nationalist movements, crafting a book that will enlighten sociologists of religion, race, social movements, and politics.-- "Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review" Berry does a fine job bringing together the ideological, 'biological, ' and theological strands of belief that form the bones and sinews of the race movement in the United States.-- "Jeffrey Kaplan, School of international and Public Affairs, Jilin University, Changchun, China"
A book that promises to become a classic treatment of American white nationalist groups that have jettisoned Christianity in favor of ideologies that justify hate.
The Association for the Academic Study of New Religions - Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions
Damon T. Berry's new book, Blood and Faith: Christianity and White Nationalism, provides welcome clarity to the racist Right and where it fits in America's broader religious and ideological milieu.I enthusiastically recommend Blood and Faith.
Politics and Religion - George Hawley
Berry provides a rich and deep overview of major white nationalist movements, crafting a book that will enlighten sociologists of religion, race, social movements, and politics.
Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review - Rebecca Barrett-Fox Arkansas State University
A powerful, original, and extremely timely book. Tracing the history of white nationalism in the United States, Berry examines a series of hugely influential but today little known figures and movements, revealing their key role in the broader landscape of American religious, political, and racist discourses. Perhaps most importantly, Berry's book also highlights the continuities between these twentieth century racist currents and our own historical moment, with the rise of the alt-right movement, and the resurgence of white nationalism.
author of The Church of Scientology: A History of a New Religion - Hugh Urban
Berry provides a rich and deep overview of major white nationalist movements, crafting a book that will enlighten sociologists of religion, race, social movements, and politics.
Sociology of Religion - Rebecca Barrett-Fox