I've been reading a lot of skepticism about the impact of the book coming out tomorrow (Friday the 13th, as a matter of fact!)
Tempting Faith by David Kuo. Olbermann did a nice job of highlighting this book on his show, and yes, it's unlikely the GOP Evangelical faithful watch "Countdown."
But they will listen to David Kuo. He is one of their own. And what he has to say is devastating. It's bad enough their demands have not been met, but to hear they have been cynically used by people who make fun of their faith... that is unforgiveable.
To support my thesis, I ask you to remember Mike Warnke.
To the Flipmobile!
Mike Warnke was a Christian standup comedian (not necessarily an oxymoron, mind you) but what really "sold" his act was his claim that he was a reformed Satanist. This was a brilliant masterstroke; it's one thing to "save" the little old lady who takes in stray cats, she's a half step away from heaven in any case.
But to snatch souls away from the Man in Red, Satan himself! Well, Warnke's act was hot, with albums and tours. From 1973, when he published his first book, "The Satan Seller," which describes his escape from a coven after a murder attempt on his life, he built an influential "ministry."
From the Wikipedia:
Warnke's career received a major boost when he appeared in a May 16, 1985 story on "20/20" featuring ABC News reporter Tom Jarriel. Warnke told of fingers being cut off, ritual sacrifice, animals being killed to use their blood in a sacrifice, and many other gory details. After Warnke's appearance on "20/20," he became a well paid 'expert' on Satanism. By 1989, Warnke and his wife were reportedly making over a million dollars apiece annually. He was frequently cited as an expert on the occult by Christian radio host Bob Larson and the Chick Publications stable of authors.
Those unfamiliar with the wild world of Chick can begin with this link:
http://werebearltd.com/...
But 1991 brought a sea change. Cornerstone magazine, a mainline Christian publication, exposed the results of their investigation into Warnke's life, showing the entirety of his "Satanic" claims were fiction. They published a book, Selling Satan: The Tragic History of Mike Warnke. From Wikipedia:
On September 30, 1992, Warnke Ministries closed its doors. The fall came less than 100 days after the startling revelations hit the media.
I believe this expose also had an influence in quieting the "Satanic Craze" which had swept the 1980's.
I hope my point is clear. Evangelical readers can be credulous, naive, and way too trusting. They will not listen to any number of well-reasoned arguments. It's about faith.
But they do trust their own. And I think this book will be a bombshell.