The New Book Idea

I was struck the other day for an idea for a book. This was not something about theatre and therefore about career advancement but rather just about making money.

Marisa was telling me a story she had read or heard on NPR about a school teacher in California who was suing his district over the content of his syllabus. Apparently under the guise of a US History course this instructor was teaching a class about the importance of Jesus in American government. I'm foggy on the details. The course used George Washington's personal prayer journal as a source document as well as a George W. Bush speech.

I was struck by the curious combination lately in the public conscious tying together our current president, our founding fathers, and Jesus.

Suddenly I had an idea for a book. Since its for contemporary mass consumption it is of course a picture book. Here's the idea, I take iconic American images and then insert Jesus. For example:

You know, connecting our patriotic roots with today's evangelical Christian faith. There are many possibilities: the Boston Tea Party, the signing of the Declaration of Independence... There should be no end of opportunities for images - all of which are in the public domain. I think the title of the book would be "Our Faith is Our Strength." I especially like this one with Jesus sort of Steering the Ship of State. I think that would be the title of this image.

So, I have to explain that part of me thinks this is a little sick. Its just not the part that thinks it will make a lot of money. I believe that the sickness is a marketing tool as well. On the one hand you'll have the people that will buy the thing as a serious testimony to our nation and their faith. On the other hand you'll have a whole population of sarcastic people like me that will buy it for the humor value. I swear it will make a mint.

Anyone out there better with photoshop than I am want to help?