Review of Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith by JD Vance
As he often does with his preferred flavor of conservatism or even his conception of the American nation-state, Vance grounds his faith less in abstractions than in rootedness and personal connectedness. “[W]hen Mamaw told me that God loved me, I felt meaningfully altered by that fact,” he writes. “When I scribbled Bible verses on letters to my mother, I did so because I believed they contained wisdom from God Himself. When I prayed every night — for a better future, for stability, for a permanent address, for my family’s happiness — I knew someone was listening.”
TL;DR
- JD Vance's new book, 'Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,' chronicles his religious journey from evangelical Protestantism to atheism and then to Catholicism.
- Vance grounds his faith in personal connections and emotional experiences, citing childhood memories and family influences.
- The book explores Vance's transition from a 'Never Trumper' to a supporter of Donald Trump, attributing it to Trump's visceral communication style.
- Vance's Catholic faith informs his political stances, particularly on foreign policy, immigration, and social issues like abortion.
- The review suggests Vance is attempting to unify the MAGA coalition and that his book is written in an accessible style for non-Catholic Christians.
- Vance's political success as a campaigner and debater, particularly in Rust Belt states, is highlighted.