This was an okay read for me. As a growing girl raised in Christianity I ponder thoughts. This book just seemed too far for me. I completely validate the author’s feelings.

This book was so well researched as it explained the process of being an “Exvangelical” (someone who grew up Evangelical and has since left the religion or practice) both from her own experience and the experience of others. It was a heartbreaking and incredibly affirming read. I also left the Evangelical Church and struggled with almost all of the topics each chapter addressed. It was also a very readable book and I flew through it.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I followed Sarah McCammon's reporting all through the Trump campaign without, of course, knowing her history with the community she was covering. This is an intimate, personal story and made for riveting reading.

Unfortunately I won't be providing a review for this book as it was sent in a format that I'm unable to access on my e-reader. It does sound like a fascinating story though, and if it's able to be sent in a different format I'd gladly read an early copy.

Thanks for your understanding.

The Exvangelicals
Author: Sarah McCammon
Source: NetGalley
Pub Date: March 19, 2024

The Exvangelicals is Ms. McCammon’s memoir of growing up in a strict Evangelical household with stringent restrictions on heaven, hell, non-believers, and even believers who aren’t Christian enough. The author makes some strong comments: “Just a few decades ago, a person leaving a conservative religious community often found herself isolated and shunned by her former friends and family.” There are other somewhat bold statements, and there is a particular emphasis on asserting an ideological marriage between Donald Trump and evangelicals. What?

To be clear, I was never an evangelical, but I am a life-long Christian with evangelical friends who loved me and never pressured me. I am also a registered Democrat with a moderate belief in government; I am NOT a Trump devotee. Not at all. I believe Ms. McCammon paints a very BROAD attack, and most of her quotes are based on other books that intend to judge all as guilty if they were ever evangelical. I am sorry her personal family life was so steeped in intolerance.

I am very interested in this subject, and I have attended seminars on the great dechurching across the United States. It is not one sect or group…it applies to many. But I would add that my family taught us about love and kindness. I believe the following: “Jesus said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 (NIV) Also known as the First Commandment. There is also one verse that I hold close to my heart, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye.’ When you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?” In other words, DO NOT JUDGE. I am not a person who believes I can judge believers and non-believers. I have a hard enough time just trying to do the right thing with my life choices. This book is an indictment of the author’s childhood, and for that, I am sorry. I do not feel this book accurately represents the life of a loving person of faith. That is my humble opinion.

Note to NetGalley: I will not share this review with my Instagram friends. I do not wish to debate with people over faith and religion. I did not select this book but was asked to review it by NetGalley in an email. Thank you.

"It's difficult to save a world you're taught to fear and are carefully sheltered from." (loc. 314*)

Growing up, McCammon was one of a large number of American evangelical Christians—deeply religious, deeply conservative, inflexible in views and closely focused on things like purity and politics. Only as she grew older did McCammon begin to understand just how deep and complex the roots ran, and just how twisted. And later, she became one of a growing number of American exvangelicals, a term coined by Blake Christian to describe the droves of disillusioned former churchgoers moving on to other things.

My (liberal, nonreligious) background is quite different from McCammon's, but I did grow up (partially) in the American Midwest, and so hers is one that I recognize instantly. Here, she tells not just her own story of disillusionment and deconstruction and, yes, exvangelicalism, but some of the many, many stories of people who grew up with backgrounds similar to hers. I've done a fair amount of reading in this general vein, so some of the names she discusses are familiar to me, but McCammon writes with not only the thoughtfulness of experience but the precision of her journalistic background.

I particularly appreciate that McCammon works to separate out things that are wrong with...let's call it the application of conservative religion in general...and things that feel specific to white American churches; McCammon covered the 2016 election, and when large swaths of white Christians were backing openly racist and xenophobic (among other things) candidates—and using the power of their religious platforms to do so—it becomes impossible to look at any one of those things in a void.

This is not a book about religion: it's a book about the ways in which people use and abuse religion to in turn use and abuse people, politics, and power. This is something of a theme in books about religion I've read lately, and if this is material that's of interest to you, you're in luck because there's a lot out there—an entire generation growing up to realize that, whatever they do or don't believe now, many of the teachings they grew up with were damaging at best. (Sarah Stankorb's "Disobedient Women" and Jon Ward's "Testimony" are not bad places to start for further reading.)

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

*I read an ARC, and quotes may not be final.

Wow. Sarah McCammon... get out of my head!!

If you, like me and (apparently) like plenty of other Xennials and Millennials feel like the conservative, evangelical culture you were raised in no longer fits with your values, this book is FOR US. I felt so very seen in these pages, and I highlighted so many relatable passages. I don't want to get into all the reasons I no longer identify as evangelical (although I am happy to discuss privately if you want to DM me), but the way this book absolutely nails growing up in the church in the 80s and 90s and becoming disillusioned with evangelical Christianity in the era of Trumpism is just so validating. I've spent sleepless nights and restless days agonizing over, for lack of a better phrase, "losing my religion" and it can feel so isolating, especially when your family and friends are all involved with the church. I had no idea there was a whole subculture out there, with forums and podcasts and, I don't know, probably even T-shirts and a secret handshake. McCammon informs us that about 1/3 of Americans raised in evangelical homes leave the culture by adulthood.

<blockquote>For others - especially many of their children - The Gen-Xers, millennials, and Zoomers who grew up in the shadow of the Moral Majority only to come of age in a far more pluralistic and interconnected world - these years have been a time of confusion and disillusionment. People born into evangelical families during that era have reached adulthood at a time when information is more readily available than ever - making alternative points of view impossible to ignore - and younger generations of Americans are leaving religion, and particularly Christianity, at a rapid pace. </blockquote>

McCammon shares a bit of her own "deconstruction" from her fundamentalist Christian upbringing and has exhaustively researched this growing movement, interviewing countless others. We ex-vangelicals are not a monolith, of course, and there are differing levels of departure from the culture. One of her interviewees points out that "exvangelical" primarily relates to the White evangelical church, as the Black church does not espouse many of the beliefs that the White Evangelical church does (Black churches historically have leaned far more left than the white, religious right, and gee, I wonder why). Some people she interviewed have abandoned religion entirely, while others have found denominations where they feel comfortable. Still others, like me, are really unsure where they stand. And that's OK. It's a process, unpacking and unloading an identity you carried with you for nearly 40 years, and I'm so thankful to McCammon for writing this book so I know I'm not alone!

This is an absolute MUST read for anyone struggling with overcoming religious trauma, for anyone having left or contemplating leaving an Evangelical church, or for anyone who scratches their head at how such an evil and morally repugnant man became the beacon of the religious right.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

Most, if not all of us, have heard the admonition: Don’t talk about politics and religion at a family gathering because it will always end in a fight. I think it’s safe to say that they’re both loaded topics in virtually any environment! Though I have many personal thoughts and experiences regarding this topic, my focus will stay on the merits of the book itself.

An “exvangelical” refers to someone who has left the evangelical church. The reasons for that choice are different, but as with any personal journey, be it faith or otherwise, it usually starts with questions that the individual can’t find satisfactory answers to within the culture they’ve been a part of.

For those who understand that confusion and are looking for a book that makes them feel seen and heard, Sarah McCammon has written a book that examines the issues sensitively and honestly. Her humility and candor, and that of all the participants she interviewed in the making of this book, were refreshing. It felt like a dialogue - not a judgement.

One warning: the book does dive into the intersection of the evangelical movement and the political sphere, as well as issues of sexual identity, race, gender roles, various forms of abuse and so on, so the list of potential triggers is long. Having said that, the author handles all the issues with a great deal of care and thoughtfulness.

This is a very well-researched and clearly told story. I think perhaps it might be more impactful for other exvangelicals, or evangelicals who are struggling with their faith. I grew up in the Lutheran Church, and my experience with church is so vastly different from what the author and the other subjects mention that I found it really hard to empathize fully. I think it's important to hear from the people who were held under the abusive thumbs of these corrupt religious leaders and communities, but I also think for a lot of us on the outside, many of their revelations are a bit obvious.

If you're looking for a deep dive into why so many younger evangelicals are leaving the church, or a personal recollection of a woman's church experience, this is a great book to pick up. 4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the ARC.

This is an interesting read if you want to know a little more about some of the issues facing the evangelical church in America, and why there is what seems like a mass exodus of younger people.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a DRC of this title.

The Exvangelicals from Sarah McCammon is an important look at a growing movement of people who are pushing back on the evangelicalism in which they were raised, exploring issues like gender, sexuality, and politics. While there were moments where I wished for a bit more research + outside context to bolster her arguments, I think The Exvangelicals really shines when McCammon shares exvangelicals' personal experiences, including her own, through interviews and narrative exposition. As it did with me, I suspect The Exvangelicals will resonate with many American millenials raised evangelical and joins a growing canon of books like Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez and A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans that challenge the modern evangelical church to re-examine its current sociopolitical and cultural positioning. 4.25 stars/5.

Step into the empowering pages of "The Exvangelicals" by Sarah McCammon, a groundbreaking work that shines a light on the brave journey of those finding their voice beyond the confines of their former faith. Growing up in the heartland, McCammon navigated the teachings of her evangelical upbringing, struggling with doubts that arose as her worldview expanded. With compassion and authenticity, she shares her personal odyssey of questioning, uncovering, and embracing a new path. From covering the political landscape to introspective reflections, McCammon uncovers the impact of evangelicalism on society and presents a community of brave like-minded individuals who are forging their own narratives. "The Exvangelicals" is a poignant blend of memoir and investigative insight that validates experiences, making it a must-read for those on a journey of self-discovery and understanding after Evangelicalism. I highly recommend!

This book was definitely well researched as evidences by the extensive list of sources making up the last 40 or so pages, and the Author's story was well laid out. I have been reading a lot about the issues facing the evangelical church at the moment, and this book showcased a variety of them.

Having grown up evangelical, in some ways I can connect with this authors story, but my evangelical church was not nearly as conservative or political as the author's (I'm also from Canada not the US and I think the Canadian church hasn't become nearly as political as the American Church) so on the whole my experience was vastly different. I found that the author painted the entire evangelical church with the same brush and didn't account for the churches that did stand up against Trump, and that don't operate the same way as she experienced. I don't want to discount her experience, or that of the others she quoted, but I think the research was one sided in some aspects and could have done with a little more rounding out.

This is an interesting read if you want to know a little more about some of the issues facing the evangelical church in America, and why there is what seems like a mass exodus of younger people.

I give this book 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church

Sarah McCammon was living life as an Evangelical Christian. Until she wasn’t. She covered the Trump presidential campaign for NPR and discovered the connection between Evangelical christianity and the political right. Her belief system had been affected by her adult experiences so she left behind-so to speak-some of the convictions she used to cherish. This is the story of the evolution of her worldview.

It's difficult to respond to a book like this, primarily because if you don't wholeheartedly affirm what the author has said, it's because you're part of the problem and exactly what she's talking about. But...I don't affirm it.

I read a lot of "deconstruction" stories, but they're all the same. It's basically, "I love some things about Jesus, but I don't love other things about Him, so I'm picking and choosing what works for me." It's also very often, "I grew up in the church, but then the world told me how it thinks, and I like the world's thinking better." Then, these stories often become one-sided, heaping an entire host of sins upon the church in an effort to declare that the church MUST be wrong. And, of course, if the world is right, then the church IS wrong...but who is to say that the world is right?

The author shows her bias in many places. If it's not a bias, it's a lack of a reasonable amount of critical thinking. For example, she accuses Christians of being ripe for conspiracy theories because they are always looking for information that supports what they already believe about certain things. But...the world also does this. Everyone does this. Everyone looks for information that supports what they already believe; it's called "confirmation bias." Saying that this leads the church to conspiracy theories is based solely on a perspective that believes that what the church already believes is wrong. She accuses pastors of sometimes spearheading the efforts to effectively brainwash the faithful, but scientists (who engage in a lot of scientism) and media and politics do this in the world, and she doesn't call them out. She talks, as so many do, about Christians trying to legislate their morality and make a country according to their belief system, but the world is doing this, too. No one can do anything BUT act upon their morality and desire a country that supports it - so again, here is a bias against the church, claiming that its fundamental belief system is not worthy of the same respect as the world's fundamental belief system. She continually expresses disappointment in evangelicals for having elected Trump, but also does the math - evangelicals make up roughly 30% of voters, and only 81% of them voted for Trump, which means only half (or slightly less) of his overall votes were evangelicals, so...time look somewhere besides the church for that one. As many persons in the church voted for him, just as many OUTSIDE of it voted for him, and that means you can't put your political dissatisfaction entirely on the church you're trying to tear down.

Perhaps it is because I came to the church late, after having grown up in the world, that I am able to see this so clearly, but it's right there - everything that these "exvangelicals" accuse the church of is true just the same of the world. It's just that the world has the louder voice right now and it uses language in a customarily postmodern way - as a weapon. Books like this do the same, using words as a weapon to try to make a point.

I am not saying that the church has everything right. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But the ideas laid out in this book don't have it right, either. And beyond that, this book gets so much wrong about the church itself. It neglects the bulk of the church, her teachings, her history, her failures, her successes, her hope, her grief, her love in order to make its point, but not once did I read about the very heart of the church, but only the issues on the side - the issues that the world has made of it so that they can talk about everything BUT Jesus and somehow claim the upper hand (or think they have).

And that's the real heartbreak of it all: this book is talking about everything BUT Jesus and claiming that somehow, because of all of these things, Christ is deficient.

My question for those leaving the church in this way, because of this language, because of this draw of the world presenting its alternative narrative, is this: where are you going to go when you find out the world is just the same?

Ok this brought back some very traumatic memories but it is a very relevant and needed book. Thank goodness light js being shed on a serious manipulation.