Six percent of Americans are ex-evangelicals. Their stories often include being spiritually abused by authoritarian church leaders and/or psychologically traumatized by harmful religious teachings and practices. Whereas religion and church often provide a welcoming community that has positive effects on mental health, sadly they can just as easily cause devastating hurt and harm. According to therapists and faith transition coaches, they can cause what is being recognized in the mental health community as religious trauma. This is especially true when toxic theologies like original depravity, authoritarian leadership, biblical inerrancy, submission of women, LGBTQ rejection, demonology, purity culture, belief in a retributive God, and the doctrine of hell are preached with absolute certainty under the guise of love.

People coming out of evangelicalism need support and guidance on why faith deconstruction is critical, how to expose and reject harmful beliefs, and how to recover from depression and anxiety. Michael Camp takes you on his own journey battling depression in the midst of experiencing spiritual abuse and deconstructing evangelicalism. He shows us how to find peace through things like historical study, cognitive therapy, gratefulness meditation, self-care practices, service to others, inclusive communities, and rebuilding a non-religious spirituality—a path that honors the love ethic of Jesus while rejecting toxic religion. If you or someone you love struggles with religious trauma or depression stemming from being in a high-control faith system, this book could be your roadmap to peace.