As an atheist with an interest in theology this was an interesting and thought provoking read for me. It points out many flaws in the Christian religion and is a highly readable polemic. A recommended read for anyone fascinated by the pull of religion.

Personally, there wasn't a point that I disagreed with here. The author's anger was palatable and certainly refreshing throughout. The author has a decent grasp of history and brought up very good points. However, given the tone it's unlikely to win over any converts.

An excellent look at the ways christianity is harmful to us all even those who are not believers. I was raised in a christian family and in church from a young age, and I even held those beliefs myself for many years. For a long time, I kind of embraced the "good parts" and swept the hateful stuff to the back of my mind because they didn't fit with how I wanted to see other people. I swept the verses regarding gay people to the back of my mind. I told myself the bible not explicitly condemning slavery was because "that's just how things were then." (SHAMEFUL.) I swept the verses concerning the treatment and subhumanness (is that a word?) of women to the back of my mind. I bathed in shame for most of my post-pubescent years because I was attracted to women just as much as I was men. I stifled--suffocated--that part of myself. I may have missed out on living my best life because of all this. I mostly ignored the fact that men thought they had a right to do and say anything they wanted to me.

Then ... something happened. I can't really point to a specific moment, but it happened. I think the starting point was that I became really good friends with someone who is on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. And I grew to absolutely LOVE this person. And I just kept thinking about what the bible says regarding people like him. And I couldn't reconcile anymore. I could not allow christianity to stand in my heart anymore if it said those things against my friend. It became personal when it was my good friend being judged. It wasn't enough for it to have been *me* being judged all these years.

My eyes opened. There's NOTHING wrong with me. I don't have to live in shame. There is no reason that anyone should have to deny who they love. Every person should have body autonomy and not be told what they're going to do with it as long as it's consensual. There is no reason that women should have ever been told they are unclean for seven days (or whatever it is) during/after their periods. God made me a woman (formed me in the womb???), yet I'm unclean for a good bit of every month because he made me a woman and my body does woman things? WHAT? That makes NO sense whatsoever. If there is a god who loves us unconditionally, I don't think it would look upon us as unclean, EVER. That's NOT LOVE. I don't think he would look down at the genius that is women and our inherent power and say we are anything but mighty. I have been weighted down for SO long because I was LESS THAN. Let me tell you now, there is nothing LESS about me, and watch out, 'cause, now, I KNOW it and you can't keep me submissive anymore.

Thanks to author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC.