Stranger at the gate
Book Description
In a nation where faith and identity often collide, one man's journey reveals the profound cost of living divided against oneself. Mel White spent decades as an insider in conservative Christian circles, crafting words and stories for some of the most influential religious leaders of his time, including Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Billy Graham. Yet beneath his successful career as a filmmaker and ghostwriter lay a truth he fought desperately to suppress.
Raised in the heart of evangelical Christianity and committed to traditional family values, White built what appeared to be an exemplary Christian life. He married within the faith, raised children according to biblical principles, and dedicated his professional talents to advancing the religious right's message. But the secret he carried threatened to unravel everything he had constructed.
This deeply personal account chronicles White's internal battle as he struggled to reconcile his authentic self with the teachings of his faith community. His story exposes the human toll of religious and political campaigns that target gay and lesbian individuals, drawing from his unique perspective as both an architect of conservative messaging and a target of its consequences.
White offers readers an unflinching examination of how religious institutions can weaponize fear while exploring his own path toward spiritual authenticity. His narrative serves as both confession and call to conscience, challenging readers to consider where the intersection of faith, politics, and personal truth leads our communities and our nation.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 333 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Biography
- ✓ Build spiritual community
- ✓ Explore Evangelicalism
- ✓ Explore Gay clergy
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Conservatism
- ✓ Explore Controversial literature
- ✓ Explore Clergy
- ✓ Explore Christianity
