Synopsis
The Corrupting of the Redeemer is about a Black Christian megachurch pastor, Damian Barnett of Church of the Redeemer, who begins as a good person but becomes bad because he allows "Western society" i.e. White society, to corrupt him. His metamorphosis metaphorically represents the corrupting of the Black psyche, and way of living, that has occurred because of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its lasting effects. Upon the protagonists’ transformation, he encounters events that eventually lead to him feeling guilty about the harm that he has wrought upon others. But upon that realization, it might be too late for him to seek and receive forgiveness.

Themes
The book is filled with criticism of Christianity, and shows how detrimental it has been to Black people. Events throughout the book provide a testament to the Black experience in America, while also showing how certain current events relate to the Black community. There are many issues present within the Black Christian church that many Black Christians would rather not discuss. They include greed in the administration of megachurches, adultery, homosexuality, the pandering of White politicians to – and abandonment of – naïve Black Christians, along with a general atmosphere of hypocrisy being present. All of those topics form plots involving characters in the book. Racial profiling and the breakdown of the Black family are also present, along with other societal issues that affect Black Americans.

Atheism plays a major role in the book. The Corrupting of the Redeemer promotes the message that Black people can be successful and happy without being adherents to organized religion, or believing in an omnipotent deity. There is strength in avoiding those commonly held beliefs. Jehyra, who is the wife of the protagonist, is a strong Black Atheist woman. This book shows how Atheism can liberate Black people from the constraints of Christianity, through the life of a strong Black woman who sees that she is more righteous than the Christians who consider themselves superior to her.

Purpose of the Book
I wrote the book with the intent to enlighten Black people with the truth about our existence, through the use of a fictional story involving issues that currently affect us. There are characters in the book that nearly every Black person can relate to, ranging from the most honorable of people to the most deceitful. People who have read the book have given it good reviews, along with commenting on the controversy that it will certainly generate. It was written with the hope that it would be considered comparable to “Black Boy,” “Native Son,” and “Invisible Man.”

Comments from Readers
I just completed The Corrupting of the Redeemer. I was completely entertained and fulfilled by the intense drama. The ending completely floored me, totally unexpected. Your dialogue regarding free-thinking throughout the book is ingenious. Unfortunately my courage is not where is should as I do not profess my beliefs to everyone. My eyes have always been opened to the fallacies of religion, but now I can see clearly and hopefully focus on the real matters of this world.

Much success to you!
-"W.S."

Let me first commend you on an enjoyable, and well written story. You did your work, and research, I enjoyed the History facts, as well as, the verses from the Bible, and how they are used, by one to justify ones improper behavior...Power and corruption, exercised by politicians, officers of the law, as well as those in office (at the Church of the Redeemer). Also, the make-up of the congregation...how the beliefs and ideas differ amongst the elders and younger congregants, which is true. The elders are more prone to commitment of what have been taught to them, as oppose to the younger generation, who are more weary, wise and not easily swayed by the Pimp in the pulpit.

It's funny that you mentioned the N.G.B.M. (National Gathering of Black Ministers), because the pastor at the church my sister attends had mentioned attending a convention like this (not sure if its the same name) in Atlanta, he did attend and came back no sooner than he left...didn't elaborate too much, but there was a lot of wrong doings going on at the convention, and he did not want any part of that... He is a down to earth pastor, he prefers people to dress down in the church, children are allowed to wear sneakers, etc.

The Corrupting of the Redeemer applies to many of the pastors who own these Stadium built mega churches. I just don't understand how people allow themselves to be Pimped by the Pimps in the Pulpit. Because, if it was a brother (sibling), who started, dressing and glorifying money, and becoming egotistical, they would step to them, mind you the brother is not a preacher or have any involvement in the church....but they will not step to there preacher? HE is not above the LAW.
-"R.M."