Book Review: Raised Right

This book is not what you'd typically find on my window-sill for right-before-bed-reading. Politics? Not something I'd really like to discuss. Mostly because I feel ignorant, partly because I don't like arguing, and a big slice of genetic avoidance {that's my own big word description of "my dad talked about politics all the time so I don't want to"}.
And reason number one is directly related to numbers two and three. I avoid controversial topics, thus, I am ignorant. I don't even listen to the news {so please Facebook me if anything big happens!}.

So. Why did I pick up this book and give it a cursory look over? Because it's written by a young girl {my age} and because on the cover she plainly suggests that the book is about separation of church and state.

Not all Christians are Republican. Not all Democrats believe in abortion. Not all. Less generalizing, people. 
More awareness and acceptance.

It's an easy read only because of the stories and personal experiences Alisa shares. It's not easy material. She grew up picketing abortion clinics and attending political rallies. She has seen political intensity.


One of my favorite quotes is this, in reference to her experience as a news reporter watching a heated protest against homosexuality:

"Perhaps they believed their rebukes communicated love, just as a caring parent rebukes a child. That the child sees the chastising as cruel doesn't change the fact that the parent has the child's best interests at heart."

"Then I realized why these efforts at love sounded hollow--because this love was not the way I experienced love every day. Even setting aside the arrogance suggested by viewing all other sinners as children and saved sinners as the world's in loco parentis, I know my parents love me because they sacrifice to feed and clothe me every day. In the end that burden of labor and sacrifice is what gives them any right to be heard or believed when they say 'I love you' after they say, 'You're wrong.'"

It's a real book. Alisa writes from her heart. She shares how her politics have shifted from childhood to young adulthood and shares how her faith has become more tangible and action-oriented.

What matters most to her now? What will she pass on to her children?
To care -- battling the cynicism and despair and continuing to care. 
To love -- not just with words, but with actions. 
To take heart -- retaining optimism with the ultimate redemption of the world in mind.

"As Jesus urged His followers, 'Take heart! I have overcome the world'--not through a show of power but a picture of love." ~Alisa Harris

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This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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