There's a Shortage of of Ideas on how to Defeat the Religious Right

One of the most insightful authors on the dangers of the Religious Right, Frederick Clarkson, points out that there is a shortage of ideas in dealing with most dangerous foe of our liberties:

Sadly, there is a shortage of ideas about how to respond to and how to defeat the Right wing culturally and politically.

Only a handful of think tanks monitor and study the Right (e.g. Political Research Associates, People For the American Way, Southern Poverty Law Center to name three). Liberal and progressive philanthropy has desperately underfunded the study of how to respond to the Right because it correctly fears that Right wing Congress-men will turn their regulatory ire on the Right's enemies. The fear is warranted but cannot excuse cowardice. A lot more funding needs to be directed immediately to stem the neo-fascist movements growing in the United States.

Longtime social justice activist Urvashi Vaid has an exceptionally thoughtful essay at her blog titled "Ideas Needed to Defeat the Right."  One needn't agree with every point in order to find it an excellent starting off point for people seeking to approach the subject of what to do.  It is long, nuanced and well worth reading and discussing among those who take the long view.

She recommends a number of books to get started. I am honored to note she included one of mine.

Read, for example: Sara Diamond (Roads to Dominion), Jean Hardisty (Mobilizing Resentment), Rick Perlstein (Nixonland), Chip Berlet (Eyes Right or Right Wing Populism in America), Frederick Clarkson (Eternal Hostility), Chris Hedges (American Fascists), Michele Goldberg (Kingdom Coming), Max Blumenthal (Republican Gomorrah), Kevin Phillips (American Theocracy), Jennifer Burns (Goddess of the Market),Dan Gilfoff (The Jesus Machine), Amy Ansell (Unravelling the Right),Michael Kazin (The Populist Persuasion), David Niewert (In God's Country). These are just a handful of suggestions; there are dozens more great books documenting the roots, intersections, tensions, and ideologies of Right wing movements in the US.   Source

NOTE:  There is the reality of Bible prophecy fulfilling with breath taking speed and how potent are the forces being assembled to crush Christ's followers, yet the Lord in His great love and mercy for the race raised up a people 160 years in advance to warn the world and meet the terrible emergency that all who will may be eternally saved: 

"Those who have been timid and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as David--willing to do and dare. The deeper the night for God's people, the more brilliant the stars. Satan will sorely harass the faithful; but, in the name of Jesus, they will come off more than conquerors."  5T 81.

"Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. "Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners" (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer."   PK 725.