The Good News Club (book)
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Katherine Stewart |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children is a 2012 publication authored by American journalist Katherine Stewart. The book investigates the Good News Club (GNC), a Christian after-school initiative aimed at children aged four to fourteen within U.S. elementary schools. Released by PublicAffairs, it scrutinizes the organizational framework, intentions, and influence of GNCs on educational institutions and local communities, especially following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Good News Club v. Milford Central School, which prohibited public schools from excluding these clubs.
In its concluding chapter, Stewart highlights the broader evangelical Christian movement’s objective to "defund and ultimately eliminate" public education, describing this as "one of the largest and most successful collective efforts in [American] history." While reviewers commended the thorough research underpinning the book, some pointed out occasional exaggerations and categorized it as advocacy journalism. John E. Tropman from the University of Michigan recommended it as essential reading for sociology of religion courses.
Author and background
At the time of writing, Katherine Stewart was an American journalist and novelist contributing to publications such as Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and The Village Voice. Her interest in the subject was sparked by the establishment of a GNC at her daughter’s public elementary school, which led to the development of this book. Prior to its release, she authored an article with similar themes three years earlier in the alternative newspaper Santa Barbara Independent.
In May 2012, Stewart published a piece in The Guardian drawing parallels between the Good News Club’s parent organization, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), and their teaching of 1 Samuel (15:3)—where God commands Saul to annihilate the Amalekites—and the notion of instructing children about genocide. CEF responded by clarifying that their intention is to provide accurate biblical interpretation rather than endorse genocide.
Overview
This work delves into the Good News Club (GNC), an after-school program directed at elementary school children between four and fourteen years old across the United States, examining its function in promoting evangelical Christian objectives within public education. The book comprises twelve chapters plus a conclusion; the initial six chapters explore GNCs’ social dynamics and organizational structure. The opening chapter profiles a GNC operating in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, run by volunteers affiliated with local churches. As these clubs proliferate, concerns arise among parents regarding proselytizing activities, with minority students reporting experiences of exclusion.[1]
At a Child Evangelism Fellowship triennial conference, speakers highlighted a dramatic rise in GNC participation—from 16,805 children in 2001 to 139,221 in 2009—marking a 728% increase.[2] Typically, volunteers raise approximately US$20,000 annually to launch and maintain each club.[3] Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, underscored targeting children aged five to twelve as a strategic priority for creating lasting influence.[4] Chapter three surveys religion’s historical presence in public schools by referencing significant events such as the Eliot School rebellion and Scopes trial.[5]
Chapter four examines entities like the American Center for Law & Justice, landmark legal cases including Good News Club v. Milford Central School, and conservative Supreme Court Justices such as Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.[6] The fifth chapter investigates “planted” churches that rent school facilities after hours for religious meetings while maintaining connections with larger church networks.[7] Chapter six covers presentations from Mission Fest Seattle focused on teaching children about sin and Jesus Christ, emphasizing strategic outreach during the critical age range known as the 4/14 window.[8]
Chapters seven through nine analyze evangelical approaches to literature; Stewart discusses how Texas State Board of Education hearings influence textbook content for older students.[9] Chapter nine spotlights Christian programs active in public high schools like Success for Kids and explores debates over sex education involving organizations such as True Love Waits, which promote chastity among youth.[10] Chapter ten addresses peer evangelism efforts within high schools alongside Christian participation in athletics through groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.[11]
Chapter eleven outlines volunteer prerequisites for GNCs including criminal background screenings and compliance with behavioral standards.[12] The final chapter discusses evangelical campaigns aimed at "defunding and ultimately eliminating" public schooling.[13] The conclusion acknowledges public education as "one of the largest and most successful collective efforts in [American] history."[14]
Critical reception
Critics commended the book for its thorough research, although some pointed out its occasionally exaggerated tone and its presentation as a "call to action." Alexander Heffner from the Minneapolis Star Tribune characterized Stewart's book as revealing the undue sway of fundamentalist Christianity within supposedly secular educational settings. He praised Stewart as a considerate storyteller and described the work as "a significant contribution uncovering a movement rarely addressed in mainstream media." Kirkus Reviews referred to it as "engaging investigative reporting on a little-explored subject," while noting it functions as passionate advocacy journalism. According to Publishers Weekly, Stewart's research is insightful, though her prose occasionally tends toward overstatement.
Howard B. Radest, writing for The Humanist, applauded Stewart's narrative style. Jeff Trotter, an associate professor at Anderson University, found the writing accessible and remarked that the book presents a compelling depiction of a Christian-driven agenda, though it sometimes conflates local and national objectives. He praised the depth of research and cautioned against disregarding the book amid divisive public education debates.
In his review for The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, John E. Tropman examined the work through the concept of "values imperialism," suggesting it serves more as an urgent appeal than reflective analysis, making it valuable for courses on the sociology of religion. Veronica I. Arreola from the University of Illinois Chicago emphasized Stewart’s precise exposure of historical revisionism in a Texas school district and stressed that the book critiques how Good News Clubs exploit public education funds and challenge church-state separation without opposing Christianity itself. David Austin Walsh of The Baffler described Stewart's 2020 follow-up, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, as a continuation of this investigation.
See also
References
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp. 13, 21–24
- ↑ Stewart 2012, p. 43
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp. 45–47
- ↑ Stewart 2012, p. 63
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp. 72, 74
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp. 82, 85, 94
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp. 103, 110
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp.130,141
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp.173–177,190
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp.193–194,202,204
- ↑ Stewart 2012, pp.216,218–219
- ↑ Stewart 2012, p.230
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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