Overview

""A deep and sharply insightful commentary on narcissistic leadership, including valuable and practical ways to spot a predator in pastoral clothing."" -Tia Levings, author of the NYT Bestselling A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy and I Belong to Me: A Survivor's Guide to Recovery and Hope after Religious Trauma In a world full of uncertainty, self-styled spiritual saviors are out hawking salvation like it's the latest TikTok trend. Enter Gaslighting for God, Becky Garrison's razor-sharp unmasking of the unfortunate narcissism underneath so much American spirituality. With a court jester's wit, Garrison reveals the tactics of gurus who weaponize faith to build empires, whether it's playing out in a megachurch, a progressive space, or a supposedly transformational wellness community. Drawing on decades of reporting, insightful commentary, and offering entertaining lists and images, Garrison arms readers with the mindset to spot the spiritual con, whether from self-promoters basking in the spotlight or those quietly operating under the radar. She details the narcissistic personality traits, the narrative rewriting, the power imbalances, and the divine exceptionalism that are the classic markers of subtle spiritual manipulation. But this isn't just a takedown. With humor and grounded hope, Garrison charts a path for disentangling from toxic dynamics and finding healthier spiritual spaces. Equal parts exposé and survival manual, Gaslighting for God trains readers to trust their instincts, sidestep the snake oil, and reclaim a faith, or nonfaith, built on authenticity rather than charisma.

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9781957687704

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Gaslighting for God is laugh-out-loud funny, which is great for those of us who've survived religious trauma and need to laugh it out sometimes, so we're not always crying. But don't let Garison's clever wit fool you-this book is also a deep and sharply insightful commentary on narcissistic leadership, including valuable and practical ways to spot a predator in pastoral clothing. --Tia Levings, author of the NYT Bestselling A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy and I Belong to Me: A Survivor's Guide to Recovery and Hope after Religious Trauma ""Becky Garrison's Gaslighting for God is not only deeply researched, it's also deeply felt, a wise and knowing expos. of religious narcissists in what she calls the Christian Industrial Complex--and beyond. Her taxonomy of narcissists manages to be both funny and frightening, but the real treasure of this book lies in its promise of hope and healing, courage found in the context of community."" --Randall Balmer, author of Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right ""Becky is, among other things, a historian who has kept close watch over what has happened through different church movements over the last few decades. She is duly qualified to comment, sometimes with sarcasm, about the patriarchy and gaslighting that help keep their followers in line. If we are ever going to move forward out of evangelical Christianity, we need fair criticism of the current situation and the methods used by those who rule and manipulate. This book will accomplish that!"" --Karl Forehand, author of Evolving from Religious Trauma and host of The Desert Sanctuary ""While we may not align with all of the author's claims, Gaslighting for God is a needed voice in a time when self-anointed gurus sell salvation like merch. Becky Garrison cuts through the fog with a sly grin and a sharp pen. She exposes how narcissists, whether in pulpits, on stages, or leading 'sacred' movements and retreats, twist faith into fuel for their own empires. With honesty and humor, she documents the red flags and provides a way out, pointing us toward spaces where spirituality heals instead of harms. It's part exposé, part survival guide--a much-needed invitation to reclaim our own sacred path."" --David Hayward, a.k.a the NakedPastor, cartoonist and author ""Ever wonder why the church seems to focus more on the minister than the mission? Gaslighting for God by Becky Garrison will help you understand why so many churches focus on glitz rather than God and elevate people's egos over religious purpose. Garrison uses in-depth research and witty satire to expose religious narcissism in this engaging volume."" --Warren Throckmorton, author of The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History ""Gaslighting for God offers a clear and incisive examination of the narcissistic dynamics that shape harmful religious environments. Becky Garrison names what so many experience but rarely have language for. As a nursing scholar and researcher of adverse religious experiences, I see this book as an important contribution to our understanding of spiritual trauma and the pathways to recovery."" --Beth K. Schwartz, PhD, RN, PHN, MAT

Author Information

As a religious satirist, Becky Garrison served as Senior Contributing Editor for The Wittenburg Door from 1994 to 2008, and has been on its board of directors since its relaunch in 2021. She's the author of nine books, including Jesus Died for This? A Satirist's Search for the Risen Christ and Distilled in Washington: A History. Also, she co-edited a book of love letters penned by partners of trans folks to their loved ones, as well as contributing chapters to about a dozen other books. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she covers the region's craft culture, including cider, beer, wine, spirits, cannabis/CBD, psychedelics, and the regional festival scene. Follow Becky on Substack here.

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