Good Christian Bitches Book Review

While use of the "B" word may have sent half the world into a tizzy when it was used in conjunction with the word "Christian," one really needs to read the book to realize that the intent of the term was to convey that piety doesn't always walk hand-in-hand with church attendance.

According to the main character, Amanda, the explanation is, "If you're professing to be a good Christian, you're claiming to have a desire to be like Christ, to have a heart like His.  When a good Christian hides behind the cross while putting herself and her worldly desires ahead of their desire to be like Christ, at any and everyone elses expense when she deems it necessary, she becomes a good Christian bitch.  I mean, for heaven's sake, don't let Jesus get in the way of a good agenda."
Okay, so maybe another choice of words would have made a more acceptable title, but I can guarantee, the author's publisher jumped at the chance to stir up a little controversy.  I mean, "Women Not Acting in Accordance With Christian Principles," is not going to sell books.  I don't know whether author, Kim Gatlin, likes or approves of the ABC series GCB, which has stirred such controversy.  I have not seen it, but ONE and TWO both said it was abysmal on many levels.  As an author, I know that you have little or no control over what happens to your material once you have written it, unless you are a well-established author.  I had to hire someone to re-design my first book cover to keep the publisher from using an image I hated.  I was lucky they agreed to take my design.  I imagine she is just taking her checks to the bank and grateful that she was published and then secured a television deal.  I guess you can add greed to her list of sins, but she is supporting a family.
The author lives in Dallas, is divorced, has two children and is a member of the Presbyterian church and charitably active.  Does anyone see a resemblance to Amanda?  I don't know whether this story is biographical or not, but if her sole intent in writing this was to get even with her Dallas pals who "done her wrong", than I find it pretty pitiful.  If however, she and her children innocently suffered at the hands of others, you can understand her anger at the hypocrisy. Then, of course, it could all be fiction.
The novel may not be everyone's idea of a good read.  It will certainly not receive any literary awards and the ending seemed as though it was cobbled together at warp speed. She does, however, make a very valid point.  Just because folks have been baptised, attend church and pray at the drop of a hat, doesn't necessarily mean that they live their professed religious convictions.  This is not a new thought.  Priests have molested children, Youth Leaders have run off with teen-age girls and Ministers have had affairs.  Parishioners have cheated on their spouses, committed crimes and abused their children.  Gossips, seemingly innocuous compared to the other items on this list, has ruined lives and hurt people.
When the gossip and innuendo begins to effect her children, Amanda remarks, "You're only as happy as your unhappiest child." Any mother could relate to her feelings.  Hateful remarks made to adolescent children can impact them their entire lives. What once was passed off as silly junior high behavior, has now been labeled "bullying". There is a national campaign  to stop this nasty business.
So, why have I used all this blog space to deal with a lousy TV program and a book with a questionable title? It is because I actually read the book and found it made some very valid points.  Those who would castigate it without even a look, are just as guilty of spreading gossip...ideas expressed as fact with out any factual basis or research.  I didn't make the idea up that gossip is evil.  For all you good Christians, it is in  the bible. "Let he among you who is without sin, cast the first stone."



Every day people cartoon by Cathy Thorne.