John McCain won the 2008 presidential election. He dies suddenly in another country, which leaves his vice president, Sarah Palin, in charge. Palin is not a strong leader but she is a devout Christian. Her inability to lead well opens the door for others to come on the scene and reshape the United States into what they think it should be. Christian Nation by Frederic C. Rich is a dystopian about what could have happened had Barack Obama lost the 2008 presidential election.
Into Politics
Some fiction books touch on politics without bringing the reader knee-deep into current affairs. Christian Nation unashamedly brings us into a world in which Christian Nationalists have the microphone. Rich spares no feelings as he uses some of the most prominent leaders in the Evangelical world to present a society in which those who refuse to be Christian suffer.
In some ways, even those who claim Christianity are subjected to persecution as women who remain single into their 30s are deemed homosexual. Such individuals are punished for failing to marry even if they claim Jesus as their Saviour. From such a visual, the reader gets the idea that, perhaps, the Christian Nation is less about Christianity and more about people fighting for power under the guise of religion.
Surveillance
With power being the driving force, it is no wonder that surveillance is the top priority of the government. Individuals in the Christian Nation are not allowed to read physical copies of books nor are they allowed to have access to newspapers outside of digital versions provided on the Purity Web. Special devices are given to keep track of citizens and to also monitor what they consume. Those found in violation of the laws are sent to camps for rehabilitation.
The devices
The devices administered to citizens in the Christian Nation echo Apple watches in our reality. Of course, the technology in Rich’s world is meant to monitor individuals whereas Apple watches in our society are viewed as means to enhance life. Still, one has to wonder if our reliance on these devices is setting us up for a world in which every move is documented and judged. Or, perhaps, we’ve already entered such an era.
Who is this book for?
Christian Nation by Frederic C. Rich is a great choice for those who love dystopian stories. If you are concerned about the state of the United States, then this book may offer insight into a very different society.