Overview

In this 3rd book of his three-volume memoir, Barry W. Lynn recounts twenty-five years working against the top leaders of the Religious Right on issues including school prayer, prayer in public places, public religious displays, creationism, the Faith-Based Initiative, the Ten Commandments, and death with dignity. He describes his frequent visits to Religious Right conventions to sit in the audience and his broadcast debates with and advocacy to religious leaders like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Franklin Graham, Jim Wallis, Joshua DuBois, Jay Sekulow, Rob Schenck, Robert Jeffress, Wiley Drake, Herb Titus, Kelly Shackleford, Bill Murray, Bill Donohue, and Mat Staver. He also tells stories of policy-making as he experienced it behind the scenes with blunt honesty. Lynn worked from 1976-2016 on the social issues that face Americans again in 2023: abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and book banning. He worked for the ACLU and the United Church of Christ national office in DC before becoming executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Well respected for his work on Capitol Hill and with executive branch agencies, he became a radio and television media star for his keen wit and ready repartee as he addressed First Amendment public policy issues. He combines that wit with his experience participating in the making of American history from a front-row seat as a political strategist and lawyer in the Supreme Court Bar. As a clergyperson in the United Church of Christ, his passion for correcting injustice and inequality guided his advocacy on TV, talk radio, his podcast CultureShocks, and in this memoir, which is funny and full of American political history. His battles with the Religious Right will amuse and alarm readers.

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9781958728116

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Reviews

Barry Lynn does it again! This tale of his life and work is every bit as inspiring and energizing as all the hard work he's done so far. You will be entertained and occasionally horrified by the people and institutions he has taken on. He shows how real activism works and how you can do the work too! Thom Hartmann, progressive national radio and television host and best-selling author. Barry Lynn brilliantly expresses his ideas which he delivers with wit, humor, and panache. If this book is in your hands, you're lucky. Open it and start reading. You'll be glad you did. Lewis Black, Comedian. Barry Lynn has been a tenacious advocate for peace and justice. I am glad that he has gotten around to writing this memoir of his extraordinary life. The Hon. Patricia Schroeder, former Congresswoman from Colorado. Barry Lynn has created an important and beautiful literary treasure. Lynn is brilliant and courageous, a key figure in the amnesty and peace movements who has written an unforgettable portrait of a generation in turmoil. This is a fascinating history lesson told with wit, honesty, and grace. Ron Kovics, Vietnam Veteran and author of Born on the Fourth of July. Barry Lynn is a national treasure and Paid to Piss People Off perfectly captures his trajectory. He built a career out of poking holes in hypocrisy and religious zealotry using an artful blend of substance, humor, and incisive wit. This book captures the unvarnished essence of the Rev. Barry Lynn, one of the most important voices of his generation. Wade Henderson, former President of the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights. Lucky Barry Lynn for leading such a fun life. And lucky for all of us for him to have led such a purposeful life. Decades of work on civil rights, peace, and true religious freedom make me proud to be one of his fellow travelers. Bill Press, former host of CNN's Crossfire and award-winning author. Barry Lynn is one of the rare people who recognize the deep connection between social justice, music, comedy, and film. He understands and never waivers in his support of folks on the margins of society. I think he likes us more than the powerful politicians he has worked with all these years. Barry is a gem; his words, truth to power. These three volumes are thrilling. Mary Gauthier, Grammy nominated songwriter and author of Saved by a Song. I observed Barry Lynn doing the difficult dance between faith and social policy for three decades, regretfully mainly as his ideological nemesis. Too late in life I concluded that he was mostly right and I was mostly wrong. This memoir helps me make up for lost time and might allow others to do the same. The Rev. Bob Schenk, director of the Bonhoeffer Institute and former leader of the anti-abortion movement. Barry Lynn has always been a powerful speaker and leader of progressive causes, and a strong advocate for women's privacy and bodily integrity. This book is a clarion call to the next generations to never give up on fighting hard for what is right. Kim Gandy, Past-president of the National Organization of Women and current president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence..

Author Information

Barry W. Lynn caused lots of good trouble. He worked in Washington from 1974 to 2017-first for the United Church of Christ (UCC), helping gain amnesty for Vietnam war resisters; then for the ACLU, defending the First Amendment and destroying the Meese Pornography Commission; and for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, doing battle with every Religious Right leader aiming to have government adopt their agendas. Lynn is an ordained minister in the UCC and a lawyer with membership in the Supreme Court Bar.

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