Democracy Needs TLC

Democracy Needs TLC is "interactive literature" in the nonfiction genre. What makes this book "interactive literature" is how the author uses his forty years of experience as a mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist in its design to use various approaches and learning-style tools to capture the reader's attention, curiosity, imagination, and understanding. The book is designed to provide information in ways that minimize defensiveness--maximizing the reader's ability to see, hear, do, and feel something better. The objective is to assist the reader by using the printed word, storytelling, graphic arts, personal surveys, handouts, worksheets, games, references to movie and literary works, music, and the like to experience the contents of this book.

This book primarily addresses democracy from a Christian perspective to examine consideration of various poignant topics impacting democracy, the threat of autocracy, and the Church's role to advocate for democratic principles/values that align with Christian doctrine. It is formatted to be read individually, yet also could be used within small or large group settings (e.g., as a Bible study tool, book club's discussion material, or workshop for personal and/or Christian growth and development instrument. The book encourages honest discussion of the intersection of politics and religion leading to better/deeper understanding of God and how to apply His word, will, and way in one's life individually and collectively via TLC. TLC goes beyond the normally used acronym for tender love and care to be expanded to such concepts as the love of Christ; truth, love, and Christ; trust, love, and commitment; the local church; and the living church; and truly loving Christians. Such concepts are presented in such a way to encourage non-Christian readers to attempt to understand and adapt the concepts to their worldview and/or spiritual belief system.