An empathetic, funny, and sharply critical collection of essays exploring the Christian pop culture of the 2000s and its influence on today’s politically powerful evangelicalism
In 1999, after three years of secular living in Eastern Europe, Joelle Kidd moved back to Canada and was enrolled in the strange world of an evangelical Christian school. In Jesusland, Joelle writes about the Christian pop culture that she was suddenly immersed in, from perky girl bands to modest styling tips, and draws connections between this evangelical subculture and the mainstream, a tense yet reciprocal relationship that both disavows the secular while employing its media markers. But none of this was just about catchy songs: every abstinence quiz in a teen magazine was laying the foundation for what would become a conservative Christian movement that threatens women’s healthcare, attacks queer and trans rights, and drives present-day political division.
Through nine incisive, honest, and emotional essays, Jesusland exposes the pop cultural machinations of evangelicalism, while giving voice to aughts-era Christian children and teens who are now adults looking back at their time, measuring the length of their skirts, and asking each other if their celebrity crush was Christian enough. With care and generosity, Jesusland shows us how the conservative evangelical movement became the global power it is today by exploring the pop culture that both reflected and shaped an entire generation of young people.
Kind Words About Jesusland
“Joelle Kidd’s tour through the uncanny realms of Christian pop culture feels like having a lively, illuminating conversation with your smartest friend. Braiding relentless curiosity, sharp argument, and wry comedy, Kidd offers a lucid critique of evangelicalism that is always attentive to, and respectful of, the mysteries of faith. This is cultural criticism at its finest. I’ll read anything Kidd writes.” — Tajja Isen, author of Some of My Best Friends
“A delightful and thoughtful insider’s tour through the Y2K culture wars that pitted evangelicals against the devilish masses and now tell us so much about our fractured political present.” — Sarah Berman, author of Don’t Call It a Cult
“Joelle Kidd boldly explores evangelicalism as a unique and complex subculture, where holy books can be repackaged with traditional gender markers, where a religion that denounces greed can also be the home of prosperity gospel, and where peace and love meet ‘muscular’ Christianity.” — Jen and James Bryant, creators of Fundie Fridays
“This book is 10/10. Jesusland is an essential read that is part memoir, part hilarious pop-culture analysis, and part investigative journalism that critiques the Christian evangelical subculture of the early 2000s. If you want to understand the origins and agenda of our current political climate, read this book.” — Tara Teng, author of Your Body is a Revolution
Press
Excerpt in The Walrus
Interview with Fundie Fridays
Interview with Sounds Like a Cult Podcast
Interview with Open Book Ontario
Toronto Star ‘Reading Habits’ Column
Interview on New Books Network
Review in Library Journal
Review in Publisher’s Weekly
Joelle Kidd 