Alana's Reviews > The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church

I was so hesitant to read this book, to delve into this very personal history and pain. I'm so glad I did.

I feel so seen. She quotes my 4th grade 'history' textbook for crying out loud. And there are so many wonderful quotes from interviews where people put into words the things I have not been able to voice. There are terms out there for the things i went through during and after and I feel stronger equipped with these tools now.
Moreover, I feel like part of a community instead of one person with a history of trauma. And yes. Im not the only one calling it trauma. Trauma from the devastating purity culture, the paranoid culture wars and the cultish devotion to bring controlled and punished for being human.
McCammon also gives the movement its political and cultural context. This is done with such insight, thanks to her years with NPR covering the evangelical angle of Trump's base but also with compassion. Nowhere does she give James Dobson, Joshua Harris and Falwell an out for what they have done but at every opportunity she handles the mothers and fathers who wete taken in by this movement with compassion.

I will spend the rest of my life recovering from what this religion did to me and to my sister. I am marked by it. I am scarred by it. But there is a path to healing and I am not alone. I feel more confident in that than ever before after reading this book. I also feel more fapable of one day letting go of this anger. One day I will be able to fully forgive the people who hurt me, who convinced child me that I was broken, valuable only in one way, powerless, dirty and responsible for mens lust and actions.

Recommending it for all the Jesus Freak Millenials but also anyone who loves a post Jesus Freak and wants ro understand them better.